The Appoquinimink School District in southern New Castle County, Delaware has partnered with Evolv Technology and ZeroEyes to enhance school safety with weapon detection solutions.

Security screening

Evolv highlights that its AI-based weapon detection security screening, Evolv Express, will be used in the district’s three high schools at each of their stadiums to screen fans attending football games. 

The company highlights that the system was particularly appealing to Appoquinimink because unlike traditional metal detectors, Express helps individuals to pass through at the pace of life and only alerts on potentially threatening items.

“We’re impressed with how easy the [weapon detection] system is to set up and take down, that it’s mobile and that our team members will be able to operate the equipment with ongoing support from the Evolv team,” said Tom Poehlmann, Appoquinimink’s Director of Safety, Security and Operations.

“The fact that this technology is software-based and will continue to get better and stay up-to-date is also major win for us.” 

Video analytics

Additionally, the sports stadiums at the Appoquinimink high schools will utilize the ZeroEyes AI-based gun and weapon detection video analytics platform for intelligent situational awareness.

The company says that the visual gun detection solution will be layered on Appoquinimink School District’s existing digital security cameras.

If a gun is detected, the software will instantly send images to the ZeroEyes Operation Center (ZOC), staffed 24/7/365 by specially trained US military and law enforcement veterans.

These experts will verify the threat and dispatch alerts and actionable intelligence, including visual description, gun type and last known location, to local staff and first responders in as fast as three to five seconds from detection.

“Many students, faculty members and parents have been hesitant to attend school sporting events due to fear of gun-related violence,” said Poehlmann.

“By deploying ZeroEyes‘ technology at our sports facilities, we can be proactive and get ahead of a potential threat.

“We want parents to have peace of mind that when they send their children to football games on Friday nights, everyone will have a safe and enjoyable experience.”