Leveraging Technology to Enhance School Safety Amidst Rising 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, innovative safety measures becomes urgent. This is where advanced security technology can make a critical difference.

The Rising Tide of School Gun Violence

Gunfire on school grounds has seen a 31% increase compared to the previous year, marking the second-highest number of shootings at K-12 schools since 2013. Students are disproportionately affected, with nearly 40% of the victims being school-aged children. This disturbing trend emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced 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 and technology-driven strategy provides a more comprehensive solution.

Why Technology is the Answer

Real-time video intelligence is key to preventing and responding to violent incidents in schools. Unlike traditional security measures, which often involve manual monitoring and delayed responses, today’s leading physical security systems offer instantaneous detection and near instant notifications. 

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

1. Real-Time Threat Detection: AI-driven systems monitor 100% of your cameras 100% of the time, ensuring that no incident goes unnoticed. With automatic threat detection, schools can respond to potential dangers within seconds, minimizing harm and preventing escalation.
2. Proactive Incident Management: Instead of merely reacting to incidents after they occur, VOLT enables schools to adopt a proactive approach. By identifying threats early and providing security personnel with immediate notifications, our technology helps prevent violent situations before they spiral out of control.
3. Seamless Emergency Escalation: In the event of a critical incident, VOLT AI’s integration with RapidSOS allows for immediate escalation to 911. This ensures that emergency services are alerted without delay, providing the fastest possible response when every second counts.

Streamlined Reporting and Insights: One of the biggest challenges in school security is the time it takes to investigate and report incidents. VOLT automates these processes, delivering instant reports and video footage, allowing school administrators to focus on immediate response and recovery.

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%, ensuring that every potential threat was detected.
• 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 immediate and effective solutions. While solving this crisis will require many actions, the implementation of advanced security technologies like VOLT can significantly reduce the risk of gun violence in our schools. Investing in real-time video intelligence, can ensure that children are protected and schools remain safe learning places.

As we move forward, VOLT is committed to working with educational institutions across the country to create safer environments for students, teachers, and staff. Our mission is clear: to prevent missed incidents and provide schools with the tools they need to respond swiftly and effectively to threats of violence.