CHARLES COUNTY, Md. — Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) announced Wednesday plans to add artificial intelligence weapon detectors in an effort to keep students and staff safe.
The school district selected Virginia company Omnilert for the scanners. The system is designed to automatically monitor the school system's existing network of 1,500 security cameras, and raise the alarm when a gun is recognized by the artificial intelligence software.
Once a gun is detected, it sends an alert to a designated person that could be either Omnilert’s monitoring centers or the customer’s security operations center to verify detections. If the threat is confirmed, the system will then send an alert that will call police and notify those in harm's way.
Jason Stoddard, the director of school safety and security in Charles County, says it is impossible for humans to monitor so many cameras at all times, making the artificial intelligence a significant breakthrough in security.
“This technology provides real-time detection and advance warning before a situation occurs, which provides our school officials with valuable time to react to a possible safety threat,” Stoddard said. "We chose this software because it was the only solution that could provide the unique combination of early gun detection, human verification, mass communication, and an automated response. Each of these features help strengthen the school system’s comprehensive approach to keeping our children and staff safe.”
Omnilert was founded in 2004 after 19-year-old Jeanne Clery was murdered in her college dorm. The company's artificial intelligence gun detection and emergency mass notification system was first introduced in 2020 and has been used in schools, healthcare and other industries, according to the company
Omnilert claims it is the industry's only visual gun detection technology to feature a proven emergency notification system (ENS).
“With 2022 breaking new records for the most school shootings, districts around the country are looking for ways to mitigate the threat and our visual AI technology turns their existing security cameras into a preventative system that detects guns and immediately initiates a life-saving response,” said Dave Fraser, CEO of Omnilert. "In the majority of incidents, including Uvalde and Sandy Hook, the shooters were outside and visible on camera, so visual AI can extend detection beyond the building, and give more time to avert disaster. We are proud to see CCPS taking a leadership position in protecting their students and staff and setting an example for other schools.”
According to a WUSA9 review of announcements from the Charles County Sheriff’s office since Jan. 1, there have been 11 incidents involving weapons, suspected weapons, pepper spray or threats of violence in Charles County Schools. Nine schools, including four elementary schools and five middle schools, have been affected.
The incidents included a 9-year-old in possession of a knife at Gale- Bailey Elementary School in Marbury and a gun seized from a 12-year-old at General Smallwood Middle School in Indianhead.
Elsewhere in the county, since January 1, one juvenile has been shot and killed, another wounded, and 3 guns including a fully automatic pistol have been recovered from kids by authorities.
CCPS has already begun installing Omnilert Gun Detect with outside building cameras and plans to have it activated systemwide by the end of the current school year.
The school district educates more than 25,000 students across 22 elementary and nine middle schools, seven high schools, and five education centers. They also staff more than 3,000 employees. Charles County Schools will pay $207,000 for its first year using the Omnilert system.
Omnilert has a demo on their website, click here to watch.