Midland Independent School District is adding a new layer of protection across its campuses with the installation of ZeroEyes, an artificial intelligence-based gun-detection platform that identifies visible firearms in security camera footage and alerts authorities.
District officials say the system will enhance situational awareness and bolster existing safety measures for the district’s 29,000 students and approximately 3,200 employees across 40 campuses. ZeroEyes, which earned full SAFETY Act Designation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, integrates with the district’s existing digital camera network. If a firearm is detected, images are immediately reviewed by the company’s 24/7 operations center staffed by military and law enforcement veterans. If confirmed as a credible threat, alerts — including a visual description, gun type, and last known location — are sent to school officials and law enforcement in as little as three to five seconds according to a news release.
“Our main priority is school safety, and we believe bringing ZeroEyes into the district enhances our ability to prevent incidents before they happen… The technology will complement the district’s layered security approach, which already includes keyless entry and access control, intrusion alarm systems, and a strategic alerts system designed to improve emergency response times,” according to Midland ISD Chief of Police Robert Doporto according to district communications.
The Midland Independent School District aims to enhance student achievement and support diverse groups through targeted educational and assistance programs according to its official website. The district operates under Superintendent Stephanie Howard and collaborates with the Midland Education Foundation on initiatives in academics, fine arts, robotics, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), history and other areas. It functions as a public education entity overseeing programs aligned with state guidelines. The district marked an early development with Midland County’s establishment in 1885 and its original one-room schoolhouse as reported on its website.