• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

My TechDecisions

  • Best of Tech Decisions
  • Topics
    • Video
    • Audio
    • Mobility
    • Unified Communications
    • IT Infrastructure
    • Network Security
    • Physical Security
    • Facility
    • Compliance
  • RFP Resources
  • Resources
  • Podcasts
  • Project of the Week
  • About Us
    SEARCH
News, Physical Security

Weapons Detection Technology Keeps South Pittsburg High School Safer

Weapons detection technology is designed to help identify threats before they become violent; integrates with an org’s existing security cameras.

August 26, 2020 TechDecisions Staff Leave a Comment

weapons detection technology

The security of South Pittsburg High School was a personal matter for its principal Tim Bible. He was a senior in 1985 when another student entered the campus and shot a teacher. It’s something he thinks about nearly every time he walks in the building.

School resource officer (SRO) Brandon Price agrees, since he has a son in his freshman year at the school and a daughter who will be high school age in a few years as well.

“It’s certainly much more than a paycheck for me,” Price says. “I want the best equipment possible for our school, and after seeing what these cameras can do, I believe it is going to be very beneficial to help keep our kids safe.”

Campus Embraces AI-Based Weapons Detection

The state-of-the-art video surveillance system installed at South Pittsburg High that Price is referring to was made possible by bringing an exceptional team of designers and installers together with cutting-edge technology designed to automatically detect guns and instantly alert authorities.

ZeroEyes, makers of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based weapons detection system, contacted Bible and Price and invited them to be part of a pilot program. Designed to help identify threats before they become violent, ZeroEyes’ technology integrates with an organization’s existing security cameras and works with security professionals and law enforcement to close the crucial seconds needed to keep people safe.

The first system of its kind in the state, according to Hanwha Techwin and ZeroEyes, the system analyzes video footage from surveillance cameras placed strategically around campus. ZeroEyes’ platform has been trained to recognize and identify any type of gun and rapidly alert authorities before a shot is ever fired. If a gun is detected, the system immediately sends a video feed and identifying data to the ZeroEyes command center where it is analyzed by highly-trained operators to quickly verify the credibility of the threat. If credible, 911 is called to dispatch first responders while messages and calls are placed to the SRO, principal and any other personnel on the notify list.

Timing is critical and every second counts, so the system and command center is precisely tuned to decrease the response time for first responders. The ZeroEyes system decodes the RTSP video stream directly before it goes to storage to provide the least possible event latency. The system also provides first responders with continuously updated real-time information during an active shooter environment, with coordinates based on a pre-defined grid system that law enforcement has trained with.

How the Installation Began

After assessing the school’s previous video security system, it was clear they would need to upgrade to a high-quality, digital IP-based video security system to be able to give the weapons detection system the resolution required for maximum accuracy. Diversified Systems, a New Jersey-based media technology and integration company, was retained to do the design and integration work while Nashville-based South Western Communications (SWC) was selected to do the physical installation of the cameras and supporting infrastructure.

During phase one of the installation, which concluded with a comprehensive simulation and drill involving multiple agencies, ten Hanwha Techwin cameras were chosen for their ability to provide the best possible video quality in all lighting conditions. The Diversified team chose a selection of Hanwha Techwin cameras including PNV-9000 multi-sensor cameras for maximum quality exterior and perimeter coverage including the parking lot, and QND-6082R dome cameras for interiors and hallways. QNO-8080R bullet cameras were used outside on the school’s entrance bridge area.

“The picture quality of Hanwha Techwin cameras far exceeds the competition. We also like the ease of set up and the price point,” says Tory Smith, director of technical operations at MCW/Diversified. “It’s important to us that Hanwha entirely controls the quality of its cameras. They build everything themselves.”

Related: School Security Systems are Failing: Here’s How to Fix Them

The school has 25 licenses of Hanwha Techwin’s Wisenet WAVE VMS to manage the video feeds and storage. A key benefit of the WAVE VMS is that it can run on modest computer workstations, which further saves on equipment costs. The final installation will have approximately 50 cameras replacing all the older analog equipment.

Lee Haston, business development manager at SWC, explains some of the more technical aspects of the new system.

“The ZeroEyes system works based on how many pixels per square foot the surveillance system can supply. The more pixels, the better the detection rate of the weapons detection technology system,” he says. “So, it really depended on how we set the cameras up, making sure that we placed the cameras in the areas that are really going to be providing the most detailed image data.”

Smith cites FBI data and other case studies that has found the average time for a mass shooter to set up and get configured is around is around five minutes or more before they fire the first shot.

“It’s precisely during this time that we want to get alerted so we can proactively react and lock down the school,” he says.

Most school shootings scenarios are reactive situations where shots have already been fired. These new technologies help put schools in a more proactive position where seconds can save lives. Timing is critical since the duration of most mass shootings are five minutes or less. Any method to slow or impede a perpetrator results in lives saved.

Being prepared for a school shooting is not an exercise that anyone enjoys, but for SRO Price and principal Bible, it gives additional piece of mind to know they’re doing all they can for their school. Day to day, the new cameras are going to provide the staff with the ability to better manage the school grounds to keep students honest, accountable and respectful of each other.

“I’m looking at the cameras right now, and it’s like the difference between standard definition and high definition of watching a ball game,” says Bible. “The image quality coupled with a proactive solution to detect weapons, makes us truly feel that we’ve invested in the highest level of security to keep our students and staff safe.”

Doug Hansel is a technology evangelist for High Rez PR. This story premiered on our sister site, Campus Safety.

If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our digital newsletters!

Tagged With: Campus Safety

Related Content:

  • Cloud, SASE, Aryaka How the Cloud is Redefining Media Production and…
  • Singlewire Software mass notification interview Singlewire Software on Mass Notification Solutions
  • URI catchbox 1 Catchbox Plus: The Mic Solution That Finally Gave…
  • Engaging virtual meeting with diverse participants discussing creative ideas in a bright office space during daylight hours Diversified Survey: Workplace AV Tech is Falling Short,…

Free downloadable guide you may like:

  • ChatGPT, generative AI, enterprise, workplaceBlueprint Series: ChatGPT and Generative AI in the Workplace

    This latest release of the TechDecisions Blueprint Series explores the new phenomenon of tools such as ChatGPT and how IT leaders should go about deploying generative AI in their organizations.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Downloads

Practical Design Guide for Office Spaces
Practical Design Guide for Office Spaces

Recent Gartner research shows that workers prefer to return to the office for in-person meetings for relevant milestones, as well as for face-to-fa...

New Camera Can Transform Your Live Production Workflow
New Camera System Can Transform Your Live Production Workflow

Sony's HXC-FZ90 studio camera system combines flexibility and exceptional image quality with entry-level pricing.

Creating Great User Experience and Ultimate Flexibility with Clickshare

Working and collaborating in any office environment today should be meaningful, as workers today go to office for very specific reasons. When desig...

View All Downloads

Would you like your latest project featured on TechDecisions as Project of the Week?

Apply Today!

More from Our Sister Publications

Get the latest news about AV integrators and Security installers from our sister publications:

Commercial IntegratorSecurity Sales

AV-iQ

Footer

TechDecisions

  • Home
  • Welcome to TechDecisions
  • Contact Us
  • Comment Guidelines
  • RSS Feeds
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin

Free Technology Guides

FREE Downloadable resources from TechDecisions provide timely insight into the issues that IT, A/V, and Security end-users, managers, and decision makers are facing in commercial, corporate, education, institutional, and other vertical markets

View all Guides
TD Project of the Week

Get your latest project featured on TechDecisions Project of the Week. Submit your work once and it will be eligible for all upcoming weeks.

Enter Today!
Emerald Logo
ABOUTCAREERSAUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERSYour Privacy ChoicesTERMS OF USEPRIVACY POLICY

© 2025 Emerald X, LLC. All rights reserved.