Lamar Consolidated Independent School District (LCISD) has recently updated its security with Athena Security’s Weapons Detection Systems.

“It’s a force multiplier”

With campus security as a priority, LCISD Chief of Police Henry Garcia chose to deploy 24 of Athena’s systems across LCISD to scan for concealed weapons at school entrances.

“It’s a force multiplier… It puts us in a position to see and detect the things that we’re not able to see with the naked eye,” said Garcia.

With school shootings as a common concern for students, parents and staff, the use of Athena’s system provides a second set of eyes to catch things security officers might miss, including people trying to bypass the system.

AI-powered Evasion Detection

Unlike most metal detectors, Athena’s system includes AI-powered Evasion Detection which can detect people going around the system and not walking through the detector.

Even if the officer is looking away for a second, the Evasion Detection feature will take notice, triggering both an audio and visual alert.

“Evasion detection is just one control”

Athena CTO and co-founder Chris Ciabarra believes this could be a game changer for schools, airports and hospitals.

Chris Ciabarra, CTO and Co-Founder, Athena explained the system detects more threats and puts more controls around the process, he stated: “Evasion detection is just one control that helps security officers protect themselves.

“We also have other best practices from Homeland Security built into the product to help officers keep weapons out of the facilities,” he added.

Detecting weapons and managing threats

Co-Founder, Ciabarra wants to not only detect weapons but also detect other threats that manage to get around the system.

The use of Athena’s Weapons Detection System integrates:

• Lidar
• Camera
• Patented AI
• Optional thermal cameras to aid in his mission

Selecting the Athena system

LCISD Chief Henry Garcia notes that while this seems like a hi-tech solution to a systemic problem, part of being effective at law enforcement is embracing effective technology.

After discovering the Athena Weapons Detection System, Garcia deployed two dozen of them as they addressed the problems his schools were facing.

Athena Security’s low-profile system is non-intimidating for students and allows for a steady flow of people into the school, whilst effectively screening for weapons and ensuring that security cannot be bypassed.