William Stieglitz
Since the incident in October, loaded guns have come into Ward Melville High School. The student’s father left it in the same backpack as the student. The student accidentally brought him to school. . In response, security coordinator Jack Braum said at the school board meeting on October 23rd, the district is considering AI security technology, and plans to use Zero Ease at the January 22nd meeting. was explained.
The Zeroeyes software works by connecting it to an existing security camera at the school. The AI analyzes thousands of images per second and, if it detects what appears to be a firearm, the image is sent to a Zero Ease technician for review. If the technician confirms that the images are accurate, they will notify school administrators and local law enforcement to the process that is expected to take 3-5 seconds. The three villages will become the first Long Island School District to implement the system, where they will operate in all school buildings and the North Country administration building, costing the district $112,000.
At its October meeting, Braum promoted AI systems as a more efficient solution than metal detectors. He said that installation takes time, in contrast, requires all doors and exterior locations, and requires armed staff day and night. . At a January meeting, Principal Kevin Scanlon said the district will buy more cameras than usual as the Zero Ease System offers “24/7/365 coverage” and additional cameras are added each year. He said there’s no need.
“If even a portion of the weapon is found in this system, the notification will come in. And we’ve been talking for a few seconds since it’s been seen and notified,” he also said. It said the Zero Ease System fits all current software and hardware in the district. This is a concern that was related to Philadelphia last year, when Southeastern Pennsylvania transport agencies learned that the cameras used in the Zero Ease Pilot Program are not fully compatible. According to Scanlon, other Suffolk districts are expected to use Zero Ease, which Bose is involved in.
Zero Ease Systems have limitations. This is because it can only detect guns that are in the camera’s view. “We are pleased to announce that Zero Ease’s Chairman and CEO Mike Rahiv: Do you think you can really help in a particular situation? absolutely. But are we all everything? no. “
Currently, other layers in the three villages include security guards, sign-in procedures, license leaders, background checks for all employees, and additional measures that are kept secret to avoid countering . The district is also considering arming security guards, but whether this will help or hinder school safety is being heated among parents and community members.
Board member David McKinnon shares a study from the American Medical Association sent by his parents to the BOE, which states that the mortality rate is 2.83 times greater than the one with armed security guards. I stated. This study stems from the aggressive suicide of school shooters, which leads to armed security guards acting as a potential incentive rather than a deterrent.
“Evidence,” MacKinnon said, “It’s not clear that having an armed security guard would be very helpful, but I’m not entirely sure it would hurt either.” He was a school employee. , suggested that parents and students vote for opinions. “But this unfolds, but it’s better to feel that everyone is speaking out in this decision.”