Can AI weapon detection save schools from mass shootings?

Students entering Hunter High School pass through a tower at the school’s entrance.

They are unobtrusive, and students probably pay less attention to them when heading to class or rushing to greet friends.

Weapon detection systems that use artificial intelligence software along with video surveillance and other sensor technology to detect weapons are multi-layered that the Granite School District employs to enhance school safety and reduce the impact of active shooting incidents. part of the strategy.

The district introduced the technology to its West Valley City school community in February and went live with the start of the final term, which begins April 3, said Ben Horsley, director of communications and community outreach for the Granite District. I’m here.

Granite is in a unique situation, unlike most of its other counterparts across the state. We’ve seen the biggest increase in weapons,” he said.

Over the past few years, a weapon or two has been brought onto school campuses. Last year he had 17, so far this year he has had 16.

“It’s unacceptable. We need help. We need state support for that,” Horsley said.

Utah legislators passed a series of bills during the 2023 session. These bills take a series of approaches aimed at improving school safety.

Sponsored by Rep. Ryan Wilcox of R-Ogden, HB61 will provide a $75 million grant to hire more school resource officers, train school safety professionals, and allow the Granite School District to pilot Install firearm detection software like you are.

Horsley said it would cost $12 million just to equip each of the district’s high schools.

“School enhancement” needs are significant and vary widely across the state. Some schools have adopted high-tech measures, but “some schools don’t have intercoms or interior door locks that work. As a principal, can you imagine a situation where you can’t lock down with an intercom system?” School safety expert Rhett Larsen said:

House Majority Leader Mike Schultz (R-Hooper) said in a press release issued following the recent spate of school shooting threats against multiple high schools from Box Elder County to Washington County: I’m here. I hope we don’t fall victim to a tragedy like this, but I can’t assume it will never happen here. “

The threat, which also affected schools in several other states, was unfounded.

So far this year, there have been 13 school shootings across the country with injuries and deaths, according to Education Week’s school shooting tracker. Last year he had 51, the highest number since the publication began tracking those cases in 2018.

To strengthen school safety, Utah legislators took a broad approach in legislation passed by Congress in 2023. One bill calls for better reporting of students bringing weapons into school. Another new law waives fees for teachers seeking concealed carry permits.

Under HB61, all schools will have a trained school safety professional.

Another bill calls for age- and development-appropriate emergency response training.

Yet another seeks to enhance student mental health screening and connect students to appropriate resources, all of which require parental permission.

Mr Larsen said he welcomes the new safety measures under the recently passed law.

“I think it helps us create this baseline of safety in our state where we have a common language and we are all moving together. I know, we all have to work together, we can’t have these siled effects, we have to work with and learn from other states. There is,” said Larsen.

He said there are lessons to be learned from the response of schools, law enforcement and the community to the recent school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee.

Valuable information must also be gleaned from the recent mass shooting at East High School in Denver. In the shooting, two school principals were shot by his 17-year-old student and stroked every morning as part of a safety plan following previous behavioral problems. , the police said. Two deans were wounded, one seriously, and the shooter died later in the day in a nearby county.

Under HB304, Rep. Carianne Lisomby (Schools of R-Clearfield, R-Clearfield, Utah) sponsored a plan to reintegrate schools for minors suspected of committing a violent felony or weapons crime. must be created.

Meanwhile, Utah schools will continue to improve existing practices to report threat hints to educators and other school personnel or provide real-time interventions to students, parents/guardians, and educators during a crisis. Encourage students to report using the SafeUT app, a chatline. This app connects users with licensed mental health professionals.

While the app provides schools with valuable information, it can take a lot of administrative and law enforcement time to research tips to determine if a school has been established.

Huntsman Mental Health Institute spokeswoman Sara Weber said SafeUT staff assess, triage, and gather as much information as possible through tips before forwarding them to schools for further investigation. rice field.

“While some tips end up being false reports, many end up being credible. We support schools that hold individuals accountable,” said Weber.

Granite District’s Horsley said managers and police officers can usually quickly determine if a threat exists.

“Still, it’s a great use of our resources,” he said. “On average, assistant principals spend about half of their time dealing with social media-related issues, especially fake threats.”

He said educators are grateful for new laws aimed at limiting access to social media for minors because most threats come through social media. The law requires parental consent for minors to use her apps like TikTok and Instagram, and requires social media companies to verify the age of users.

“At the end of the day, parents don’t know or understand how to monitor their kids’ social media, and they still allow access. This is because 99% of these threats are social media ,” Horsley said.

Larsen said school safety prevention and response are multifaceted. Just as schools need safety features and regular training so that staff and students know what to do in a mass shooting or other event, schools also give students a sense of belonging. , should be able to access school-based and community resources. they are having a hard time.

“I’m worried. I hope the school shooting doesn’t happen. I think we all hope it doesn’t happen. I think it’s a fear for all of us.” But we need to continue to look at what the research tells us and where we are ‘testing, measuring and adjusting’ when it comes to school safety,” Larsen said.