Athena Security, a company focused on physical security and AI-driven threat detection, has initiated a collaboration with MLK Community Healthcare in South Los Angeles. This partnership aims to enhance security protocols by employing Athena's Apollo 500 Weapons Detection System. This advanced AI-powered system is tailored for high-traffic areas like hospitals and healthcare facilities, providing a crucial layer of security where it is needed most.
Lisa Falzone, the co-founder and president of Athena Security, highlighted the importance of safety for both healthcare workers and patients. "Everyone deserves to feel safe going to work every day. Likewise, patients and their loved ones should feel at ease when seeking care at their local healthcare facility," Falzone noted. The Apollo 500 system aims to offer peace of mind in a climate where violence in healthcare settings is increasing nationwide.
Automated Detection Systems Compliance
The implementation of this system aligns with California's new AB 2975 law, which mandates automated weapon detection systems at the main entrances of hospitals and certain other healthcare facilities.
Athena Security collaborated closely with MLK Community Healthcare to ensure seamless integration
Trenton Jackson, Director of Public Safety and Support Services at MLK Community Healthcare, mentioned the rigorous evaluation process that led to the selection of Athena's system. "Athena’s Apollo 500 Healthcare Weapons Detection System stood out as the best overall value, combining effective weapons detection with the operational capabilities and healthcare-focused workflows our hospital needed," Jackson explained.
Integration in Healthcare Operations
Throughout the installation and testing phases, Athena Security collaborated closely with MLK Community Healthcare to ensure seamless integration of the weapons detection platform into the hospital's operations.
The practical benefits of Athena’s system have been evidenced by a study at an Illinois-based healthcare system, which recorded the detection of over 200 weapons in 2025 alone, underscoring its efficacy in safeguarding healthcare environments.
Athena Security, a physical security and threat detection company specializing in AI-powered weapons detection systems, announced today they are working with MLK Community Healthcare, a non-profit healthcare system in South L.A., to improve security measures at their hospital. MLK Community Healthcare is utilising Athena’s Apollo 500 Weapons Detection System, an Al-driven walk-through concealed weapon detection system designed for busy entrances, such as those at hospitals and healthcare facilities.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe going to work every day. Likewise, patients and their loved ones should feel at ease when seeking care at their local healthcare facility," said Lisa Falzone, Athena Security co-founder and president.
Threat detection company
Lisa Falzone, Athena Security’s co-founder and president, said the device offers peace of mind to healthcare providers and patients alike at a time when violence in hospitals and other healthcare facilities is rising across the country.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe going to work every day. Likewise, patients and their loved ones should feel at ease when seeking care at their local healthcare facility,” Falzone said. “By leveraging our expertise in the security space and utilising emerging technology like AI, we’ve created a weapons detection system platform that is potentially saving lives while creating less disruption in the day-to-day activities at healthcare facilities.”
Automated weapon detection systems
The move comes ahead of a new AB 2975 California law requiring hospitals and certain other healthcare facilities to have automated weapon detection systems at key entrances.
“When it came time to comply with California’s AB 2975 workplace violence prevention requirements and implement a weapons detection solution, we conducted an extensive evaluation of the available systems. Athena’s Apollo 500 Healthcare Weapons Detection System stood out as the best overall value, combining effective weapons detection with the operational capabilities and healthcare-focused workflows our hospital needed,” said Trenton Jackson, Director of Public Safety and Support Services at MLK Community Healthcare.
Weapons detection platform
“Throughout the installation and testing process, Athena has been a responsive collaborator. They’ve worked with us every step of the way to ensure that the weapons detection platform technology works as it should and integrates smoothly into our hospital operations.”
Athena Security’s Apollo 500 Weapons Detection System has already been shown to improve security measures at healthcare facilities. A recent case study at an Illinois-based healthcare system found that Athena’s product successfully detected more than 200 weapons at their hospitals in 2025 alone.
