How Security Tech Can Combat School Gun Violence

As we reflect on the harrowing statistics from the 2023-2024 school year, it's clear that the safety of our schools is under unprecedented threat. With at least 144 incidents of gunfire on school grounds, resulting in 36 deaths and 87 injuries, the stakes have never been higher. Everytown for Gun Safety's recent report paints a sobering picture of the realities our children face daily. As gun violence in schools increases, the need for effective, practical safety measures becomes urgent.

The Rising Tide of School Gun Violence

In the 2023–2024 school year, gunfire on school grounds rose 31% from the prior school year, the second-highest number of shootings at K-12 schools since Everytown began tracking them in 2013, according to Everytown. Students made up nearly four in ten of those shot on school grounds that year, 46 students in all, according to the same Everytown report. This trend emphasizes the need for security measures that go beyond traditional methods.

While some policymakers advocate for arming teachers, research and expert opinions suggest that this approach may do more harm than good. We believe a proactive, technology-supported strategy is a better path.

Why Technology Helps

Most school cameras record footage that someone reviews after the fact. Real-time video intelligence helps staff learn about moments while they are happening.

Here's how technology can help create safer learning environments:

1. Everyday moments first: VOLT is built to notice crowds forming, theft, vandalism, and people in a space at times you set, such as a closed wing after hours. These are the moments school teams handle every week.
2. Weapons as the proof point: VOLT detects handguns, long guns, and knives that are visible to the camera.
3. A person checks first: Reviewed by a person by default before your team is notified.
4. Emergency escalation: In a critical incident, VOLT's integration with RapidSOS allows escalation to 911, so emergency services can be alerted without delay.
5. Reporting: VOLT keeps reports and video footage of flagged moments together, so administrators can focus on response and recovery.

VOLT is built to run on the cameras you already have. VOLT doesn't share data or AI insights with law enforcement unless the customer requests it, and the customer owns the data.

Case Study: Prescott High School

A prime example of leading technology in action can be seen at Prescott High School in Arizona. Faced with increasing concerns about student safety, the school implemented VOLT’s real-time video intelligence system. The results were transformative:

• Enhanced Monitoring: The school increased its monitoring capability from less than 5% to 100%.
• Rapid Response: With a 15-second incident response time, the school was able to prevent potential crises and ensure the safety of its students and staff.

Improved Student Well-being: By fostering a secure environment, Prescott High School was able to shift its focus back to education, free from the constant threat of violence.

The Path Forward

The rise in school shootings is a tragic reality that demands effective solutions. Solving this crisis will require many actions, and real-time video intelligence on the cameras schools already have is one practical step.

VOLT is committed to working with schools across the country to create safer environments for students, teachers, and staff, and to give them the tools they need to respond to threats of violence.