CNN
—
Nashville schools spent around $1 million on AI software meant to identify guns. But, doubts arise after a school shooting went undetected.
Recently, a 17-year-old, Solomon Henderson, shot a classmate at Antioch High School in Nashville, before turning the gun on himself. This tragic incident raises questions about the effectiveness of existing security measures.
Officials indicated that during the shooting on January 22, the gun detection system did not register the weapon because Henderson was too far from the cameras. The CEO of the system noted the gun simply wasn’t visible in the footage.
The software, called Omnilert, was installed in all district schools in February 2024. It aims to enhance security by detecting gun threats before any shots are fired.
The technology uses AI to monitor video feeds for weapons in real-time, hoping to prevent tragedies. However, experts caution that it is just one part of a broader safety strategy.
Although Omnilert’s CEO acknowledged that the system is still developing, experts from safety and surveillance fields argue that there’s little concrete evidence of its effectiveness in preventing school shootings.
Gun detection technology is gaining popularity as schools tackle the increasing threat of mass shootings. This approach, known as target hardening, aims to make schools more secure.
Chad Marlow from the ACLU describes such tools as the latest trend in school security. However, he mentions that no solution can guarantee a school shooting will be avoided.
Typically, schools rely on surveillance cameras to monitor for suspicious activities. These cameras are useful for understanding incidents after they happen, rather than stopping them in real-time.
Omnilert’s system analyzes camera feeds continuously. If a weapon becomes visible, it detects it almost instantly. Notifications are sent to staff to verify the threat’s legitimacy.
In most situations, an emergency response is initiated within 20 seconds. The goal is for law enforcement to arrive on-site before shots are fired.
This technology aims to provide valuable information to staff and law enforcement, improving reaction times during an incident.
However, for the system to work effectively, guns must be visible to the cameras, which can be a significant limitation in real situations.
Metro Nashville Public Schools signed a two-year deal with Omnilert in March 2023, around the same time as a tragic shooting at a nearby school. This event heightened the urgency for better security measures.
In situations like the Covenant School shooting, the tech could help notify authorities quicker if a weapon is visible.
But in Henderson’s case, the gun was not easily visible, which meant Omnilert didn’t trigger an alarm. “The shooter was positioned in a way that the camera couldn’t see the weapon,” explained a district spokesperson.
Although the camera didn’t identify the gun, the system itself wasn’t malfunctioning. The CEO emphasized that the technology needs the gun to be visible to operate fully.
Critics like Marlow argue that technologies like Omnilert don’t prevent shootings effectively, stating they may inaccurately identify objects as weapons or fail in urgent situations.
“If it worked perfectly, it still can’t intervene in time to stop a shooting,” Marlow said. The CEO of Omnilert responded, pointing out that such criticism hinders efforts to protect children.
Marlow reiterated that the main problem is that shooters often conceal their weapons, making them difficult for cameras to detect.
He added that false positives are not uncommon, with systems confusing everyday items for weapons.
Omnilert’s CEO maintains that while the technology isn’t flawless, it is a valuable tool as part of a larger safety strategy.
If the tech could identify weapons effectively, it might seem like a good option for schools, as long as it’s affordable, said Marc Zimmerman from the University of Michigan.
Unlike proven measures like mental health support, there’s little evidence showing this tech can stop shootings. Zimmerman advocates for a mix of strategies instead of relying on a single solution.
“If you’re at the point of preventing a gun from entering a school, it might be too late,” Zimmerman noted.
Fraser agreed that multiple safety measures should work together, including human monitoring and metal detectors. Decisions about security often rest with school boards and community input.
In recent years, some districts have added emergency exits or panic buttons to improve response times during shootings. Such actions can make a real difference.
Following the Antioch shooting, Nashville school director Adrienne Battle stated that increased security measures are being put into place.
She mentioned that the district is actively seeking out and studying new technologies to enhance safety in schools.
Metro Nashville Public Schools have implemented various safety features, such as security film on windows to deter break-ins.
Recently, the district began installing AI scans similar to metal detectors to enhance security as students arrive at school.
Although, Evolv Technologies, the company behind the new scanners, has faced criticism over its safety claims.
Ultimately, parents also need to ensure their firearms are stored safely, so kids cannot access them.
“We have to take a more comprehensive approach to safety,” Zimmerman concluded.
CNN’s Rebekah Riess and Dalia Faheid contributed to this report.
Check out this related article: Swedish Army Enhances Defense with Cutting-Edge Sci-Fi Technology: What You Need to Know
Source link