Eagle Eye Networks, a pioneer in cloud video surveillance, has launched its latest innovation: Eagle Eye Gun Detection. This system enhances safety for schools and businesses by integrating with existing security infrastructures to detect firearms proactively. As the first company to incorporate gun detection directly into its platform, Eagle Eye Networks positions itself at the forefront of security technology.
The unveiling of Eagle Eye Gun Detection took place at the Capital Factory, where security experts, law enforcement, and representatives from educational and religious institutions discussed its benefits. This technology allows conventional security cameras to transition from being merely passive recording devices to proactive gun detection systems, thus enhancing their utility in preventing violent scenarios.
Innovative Gun Detection Technology
Eagle Eye Gun Detection utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze video feeds for visible guns, offering crucial early warnings that can save lives during active shooter incidents.
By coupling this new technology with Eagle Eye 911 Camera Sharing, 911 centers gain secure live-streaming access, improving the information first responders receive in emergencies.
The Growing Threat of Gun Violence
According to the CDC, gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States, with statistics showing 503 mass shootings in one year alone.
These incidents pose significant public health and safety challenges, with a reported $557 billion economic impact annually, as per the Gun Violence Archive.
Triple-layer Verification for Accuracy
To ensure precision in gun detection, Eagle Eye Networks developed a Triple-layer Verification system comprising two AI phases and a human review stage.
Firstly, Rapid Edge AI analyzes footage on-site; subsequently, potential gun detections are examined by an Advanced Cloud AI. Finally, trained specialists confirm the presence of a firearm, triggering alert protocols such as SMS and phone notifications for prompt responses.
Comprehensive Security Features
Eagle Eye's Cloud VMS is the first to incorporate integrated gun detection
Eagle Eye's Cloud VMS is the first to incorporate integrated gun detection, enabling clients to expand their security capabilities by adding various AI-driven features and third-party integrations. This solution works alongside Eagle Eye 911 Camera Sharing to enhance situational awareness during emergencies by giving operators access to pertinent video data.
No single measure can entirely address gun violence; a multifaceted approach is necessary. Eagle Eye Gun Detection supplements methods such as access control and training to form a cohesive security strategy.
Endorsements from Key Influencers
Prominent figures in education and law enforcement praise Eagle Eye Gun Detection for its innovative approach. H.E. Jenkins of St. Thomas University calls it a "game-changer," while Matthew Schwandt from Valor School highlights its unobtrusive integration.
Ross Perry from St. Julian Episcopal Church appreciates the added security layer, and John Murphy of ProTecVideo emphasizes its potential for enhancing response times and safety outcomes.
A Community-focused Initiative
Joshua Baer of Capital Factory notes the easy integration of the gun detection feature into existing systems, stressing the importance of real-time notifications.
Echoing these sentiments, Eagle Eye Networks CEO Dean Drako underscores the company's commitment to safety, describing the launch as a collaborative community effort to enhance security through cutting-edge technology.
Eagle Eye Networks, the global pioneer in cloud video surveillance, introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform.
At a press conference held at the Capital Factory, leaders from St. Thomas University in Houston, Valor School in Austin, St. Julian Episcopal Church in Austin, the Capital Factory, law enforcement, and security technology experts shared why they are adopting the technology.
While millions of security cameras are installed worldwide, they are not generally used for proactive security. Now, with Eagle Eye Gun Detection, schools and businesses can transform their existing security cameras from a passive recording device into a proactive gun detection system, a vital tool for prevention and protection.
Eagle Eye Gun Detection
Eagle Eye Gun Detection analyzes video streams with AI to detect brandished guns. Early detection gains schools and businesses valuable time to take action and potentially save lives in an active shooter situation.
Combined with Eagle Eye 911 Camera Sharing, the 911 center also gains secure access, enabling 911 operators to give first responders vital information about what is happening at the scene of an emergency.
Gun violence
Gun violence is now the major cause of death for children and teens in the United States, surpassing car accidents and other causes in recent years, according to data from the CDC. In 2024, there were 503 mass shootings in the US.
More than 3,700 children and teens under 18 were injured, and 1,403 died. It is also a major public safety, public health, and economic concern. The annual economic impact of gun violence in the U.S. is estimated at $557 billion, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Visual gun detection accuracy
To deliver the highest possible visual gun detection accuracy, Eagle Eye engineered a Triple-layer Verification system that uses two levels of AI and one level of human verification. Eagle Eye’s Triple-layer Verification consists of:
- Rapid Edge AI: Video from security cameras is continuously analyzed for potential brandished guns by the Eagle Eye AI Bridge on location at the school or business. An AI model appropriately sized for widespread edge deployment is utilized.
- Advanced Cloud AI: When a potential gun is detected, the appropriate video is instantly transmitted to the Eagle Eye Cloud for analysis by a very large-scale Eagle Eye AI model. The use of a very large model in the cloud provides accuracy and reduces false positives.
- Eagle Eye Human Review Service: When the Advanced Cloud AI detects an actual gun, the Eagle Eye Human Review Service, staffed with trained professionals, verifies that a gun is present. The customer’s emergency response sequence and notifications are then executed. The response typically includes SMS messages, phone calls, and emails to key security or company personnel, law enforcement, response service, key executives, and emergency responders.
Additional benefits
Additional benefits of the system include:
- The Eagle Eye Cloud VMS (video management system) is the first and only VMS with integrated gun detection.
- As part of the Eagle Eye Cloud VMS, an open platform, Eagle Eye Gun Detection customers can easily add additional AI features and integrate with an unlimited number of third-party technology providers.
- Eagle Eye Gun Detection works in conjunction with Eagle Eye 911 Camera Sharing to give 911 operators access to live and recorded video feeds from security cameras near the scene of an emergency, dramatically improving situational awareness for first responders and response time.
Unfortunately, no single technology can solve gun violence, it requires a multi-layered approach where different techniques—such as visual gun detection, access control, metal detectors, panic buttons, training of staff and students, execution of practice drills, fencing, secure areas, and other physical barriers—provide different layers of security and work in concert with human oversight to ensure optimal protection.
Eagle Eye Gun Detection adds a crucial new layer that should be used in a comprehensive approach to ensure safety.
Praise from school and church leaders
Business, school, and church leaders praised Eagle Eye Gun Detection as an essential technology for all organizations.
H.E. Jenkins, Chief of Police, St. Thomas University, Houston: “Gun detection that is AI-powered, triple-verified, camera agnostic, and able to work in tandem with other security systems is a game-changer. It’s a layered approach to security, and I think it is what every university should be doing."
Matthew Schwandt, Director of Operations, Valor School, Austin: “We want kids to be able to be kids. And students and faculty should be able to focus on learning without having to be distracted by security. We really try to keep security as unobtrusive as possible. Eagle Eye Gun Detection is an additional defensive layer to speed up response, and mitigate and prevent a potentially dangerous situation before it escalates.”
Ross Perry, Board Member, St. Julian of Norwich Episcopal Church, Austin: “We want our congregation to feel safe and protected while they’re here to worship and be with others in the community. We hope it is never needed, but we are happy to have Eagle Eye Gun Detection technology in place because it provides additional protection beyond security cameras. It can be more proactive, identifying and alerting the right people to take action if necessary.”
John Murphy, Owner, ProTecVideo, Mobile, Alabama (Eagle Eye reseller and former law enforcement. Leading Eagle Eye Gun Detection beta test at Gulf Coast Technology Center): “I was very impressed with the speed and the accuracy of the gun detection alert. I often see situations in schools, hospitals, and public spaces where gun detection could have a major impact. For law enforcement and other first responders, many calls are reactionary. Extra time and early detection are critical to response.”
“I also believe if we use Eagle Eye Gun Detection combined with Eagle Eye 911 Camera Sharing, we have the potential to provide crucial early detection, notification, and additional live-scene updates to increase response time and improve law enforcement’s capability to limit or stop life-threatening situations.”
Joshua Baer, Founder and CEO, Capital Factory, Austin: “We've been using the Eagle Eye Cloud VMS (video management system) for more than a decade, so it was turnkey and seamless to add Eagle Eye Gun Detection to our existing system. With real-time text message notifications and human verification, we can be confident we'll be the first to know about any potential threats.”
Making the world a safer place
“At Eagle Eye Networks, making the world a safer place is our mission,” said Dean Drako, CEO of Eagle Eye Networks.
“Working with organizations like the Capital Factory, St. Thomas University, Valor Schools, St. Julian Episcopal Church, alongside our dedicated law enforcement and public officials, the launch of Eagle Eye Gun Detection is much more than a product launch, it’s a community-supported security and safety initiative.”
