Park City schools adopt AI-based gun detection surveillance software

Park City High School. Photo: TownLift

PARK CITY, Utah — The Park City School District (PCSD) has recently implemented ZeroEyes, a proactive gun detection analytics platform, across all eight student-occupied buildings. ZeroEyes is the only AI-based gun detection video analytics platform to receive the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation.

This AI software works by being integrated into existing digital security cameras within the district’s schools. When the system identifies a firearm, it sends images to the ZeroEyes Operations Center (ZOC), operated 24/7 by U.S. military and law enforcement veterans. These experts then assess the threat level and, if deemed credible, dispatch alerts and actionable intelligence—including a visual description of the suspect, the type of gun spotted, and the suspect’s last known location—to both local staff and first responders within three to five seconds from the time of detection.

ZeroEyes’ AI algorithms are designed to detect only firearms, ignoring all other forms of identification, such as faces or bodies. The ZOC’s monitoring screens remain blank until a gun is detected, ensuring that the operations team does not have access to a live feed of school cameras unless a potential threat is identified. Additionally, the platform does not retain personal or biometric data or perform facial recognition, thereby protecting student privacy.

Mike Tanner, PCSD’s Chief Operating Officer, affirmed that ZeroEyes is fully operational and has already been tested through a recent active shooter drill at Park City High School. The exercise involved a simulated firearm detection and confirmed the system’s effectiveness in coordinating a rapid law enforcement response. “By integrating this advanced security layer with the expertise of trained law enforcement and staff, we significantly improve our ability to respond swiftly and effectively to any armed threat,” Tanner explained in a press release.

Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes, praised the district’s leadership for their forward-thinking approach to security. “Park City School District is at the forefront of implementing proactive safety measures,” Lahiff stated in a press release. “We are proud to collaborate with such a dedicated team to safeguard the educational environment against gun-related threats.”