Michigan School District Installs New Gun-Detection Platform

Williamston Community Schools in Williamston, Mich., recently announced that it has installed the ZeroEyes gun-detection video analytics platform for its five schools, according to a news release. ZeroEyes is the only solution of its kind with a U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation and adds an AI gun-detection and intelligent situational awareness software layer into existing school security cameras.

The district has a student population of over 2,000 and consists of a preschool, two elementary schools, one elementary school, and one high school. The schools’ existing security measures include secure vestibules, school resource officers (SROs) with a full-time firearm detection dog team, and mental-health initiatives including the suicide-prevention program “Prevent to Protect,” the news release reports.

"ZeroEyes is an important layer of security that complements the efforts that have already been put in place in the district," said Williamston Community Schools Superintendent Adam Spina. "Our security layers combine to create a significantly safer school day for our students and staff."

Funding for the ZeroEyes installation came from Michigan Public Act 103 via a grant specifically for purchasing AI gun-detection software, the news release reports.

The ZeroEyes software sends images of suspected weapons to its operations center, staffed 24/7 by trained law enforcement and military veterans. The staff evaluates the threat and dispatches alerts—including a visual description, gun type, and most recent location—to local law enforcement in as quickly as 3 to 5 seconds after detection, according to the news release.

"The extensive security protocols and systems of Williamston Community Schools reflects the districts' commitment to keeping students and staff safe from gun-related violence," said ZeroEyes CEO and co-founder Mike Lahiff. "The support of Michigan's legislative grant program enabled us to provide proactive gun detection to a number of districts throughout the state. We encourage policymakers to expand the program in 2025 to help protect more schools."

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • North Dakota State University Completes Music School Renovation

    North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D., recently announced that construction on the Challey School of Music has finished, according to a news release. The university partnered with Foss Architecture & Interiors for design and Kraus-Anderson for construction services, and construction began in July 2024.

  • LSU Breaks Ground on $200M Residential Project

    Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La., recently broke ground on a new residential complex, according to university news. The South Quad residential project will consist of two buildings and add a total of 1,266 beds for freshmen students. The development comes with a price tag of $200 million, and it’s scheduled to open to students in fall 2027.

  • Beyond Four Walls

    Operable glass walls provide a dynamic solution for educational spaces. They align with today’s evolving teaching methods and adapt to the needs of modern learners. Beyond the functional versatility, movable glass walls offer clean, contemporary aesthetics, slim and unobtrusive profiles, and versatile configurations that cater to the evolving needs of students and educators alike.

  • Upcoming University of Alabama Performing Arts Center Hits Construction Milestone

    The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., recently celebrated the topping out of its new Smith Family Center for Performing Arts, according to a news release. The university is partnering with HPM for program and project management on the facility, which broke ground in 2023 and is scheduled for completion in November 2026.

Digital Edition