FORT SMITH, Ark. — Fort Smith Public Schools has rolled out a cutting-edge AI-powered gun detection system as part of its commitment to improving student safety for the 2024-2025 school year. The system, provided by the company ZeroEyes, was successfully integrated into the district’s existing security cameras before the start of the school year. The school board approved the purchase of the software in February 2024, with the goal of using advanced technology to prevent gun-related violence on school grounds.
ZeroEyes, co-founded by military veterans and experts in technology, was inspired by the tragic events of the 2018 Parkland, Florida, school shooting. The founders, who had military backgrounds, realized after reviewing footage from the incident that the shooter had been visible with a gun before he fired. This realization led them to ask critical questions about the effectiveness of existing security systems, including the overwhelming number of cameras in schools with insufficient personnel to monitor them. With this insight, they set out to create a company that would focus on one thing: detecting guns in real-time.
The technology works by analyzing video footage from security cameras frame by frame, identifying potential weapons. If the AI detects a firearm, it sends an alert to a monitoring center where trained military veterans assess the situation. If the threat is verified, the team immediately notifies local resource officers, school security, and 911 dispatchers. The alert includes an image showing the person holding the weapon, a highlighted gun, and the precise location on the school grounds.
While the system has proven effective in identifying threats, ZeroEyes does acknowledge that it may not catch every potential danger. For example, smaller concealed firearms may be harder to detect. However, some community members, like Fort Smith mother Alexis Durham Brown, feel that the added layer of protection is a step in the right direction. Brown, who has a child in a Fort Smith middle school, expressed her appreciation for the school district’s focus on security. “We are very scared about sending our kids to school right now, and adding just a layer of protection makes me feel better,” she said.
ZeroEyes has been designed with privacy in mind, with the company emphasizing that it cannot access full video feeds. Instead, operators only see frames containing potential threats, ensuring that the system complies with privacy standards. The company is Safety Act certified and adheres to ISO 27001, which governs data security.
Despite some concerns about the system’s ability to detect smaller concealed weapons, community feedback has largely been positive. Parents like Brown feel reassured by the district’s efforts to use technology to address growing safety concerns. As the system continues to evolve, it reflects the district’s commitment to creating safer educational environments for students and staff.
In a time when school safety has become an increasing concern nationwide, Fort Smith’s decision to integrate AI-powered gun detection software represents a proactive step in using technology to protect students and staff from potential violence.