ANGLETON, Texas – When it comes to school safety, every second matters, especially since gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children and teens.
What if a camera could spot a gun before any shots are fired? That’s exactly what ZeroEyes does. This artificial intelligence software scans school security cameras for visible weapons and alerts police within seconds if it detects a real threat.
It’s cutting-edge technology that gives parents like Dana Ernst peace of mind about sending her children to Angleton ISD.
“As a parent, that is such a weight off of our shoulders,” Ernst said.
She has a 14-year-old eighth grader and a 16-year-old junior. While the possibility of a school shooting isn’t something she thinks about every day, it crosses her mind weekly.
“The shooting at Santa Fe High School really hit hard because it’s geographically close, and my kids have played football and done track meets there,” she said.
Ernst has taken extra precautions, including purchasing bulletproof shields that slide into her children’s backpacks.
“I tell them, worst case scenario, you either put it on your back and run or put it on your front and hide. It’s horrible to have to say that to your kids, but it’s another peace of mind measure,” she said.
Angleton ISD has been using ZeroEyes’ AI technology for three to four years, said Robert Munoz, assistant superintendent for student services.
“It’s an integrated system that picks up lethal threats in real time,” Munoz said.
The software uses cameras already installed in schools. When a threat is detected, images are instantly sent to ZeroEyes’ 24/7 operations center, staffed by trained military and law enforcement veterans who verify the threat in real time.
“If it’s a real threat, we get text messages and snapshots of what the person looks like, what they’re wearing, and their location,” Munoz said. “We can track them through the building using cameras to help law enforcement plan their response.”
Munoz shared a recent example from another Texas elementary school where the system detected three individuals pulling an AK-47 from a bag and attempting to enter the building. Law enforcement was dispatched and apprehended the suspects.
“While we can’t say we can stop every mass shooting, this technology is helping us every week,” Munoz said.
Sam Alaimo, co-founder of ZeroEyes, said the system typically alerts law enforcement within three to five seconds of spotting a gun.
“Over 60% of school shootings happen outside before moving inside,” Alaimo said. “Our goal is to detect the gun before it reaches metal detectors or any barriers.”
ZeroEyes has detected countless guns daily, though it’s unclear how many potential attacks were prevented. The key, Alaimo said, is spotting the weapon early enough to act.