Houses of worship are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) for advanced security measures against mass shootings. With AI rapidly evolving and expanding in its capabilities, churches and other religious institutions are exploring ways to leverage this technology to protect their congregants.
Valley Baptist Church in Bakersfield, California, is one such institution that is preparing to implement AI-based security measures. Matt Montana, the director of safety at Valley Baptist Church and a retired law enforcement officer, emphasized the importance of identifying technology that can detect weapons on their premises, specifically to prevent individuals from bringing guns onto the campus with malicious intent.
During his search for innovative solutions, Montana came across a company called ZeroEyes, founded by a team of former Navy SEALs and technology experts. ZeroEyes offers a human-verified proactive gun detection and situational awareness software that integrates with existing digital security cameras. The company’s mission is to stop mass shootings and gun-related violence.
Rob Huberty, the COO and co-founder of ZeroEyes, explained that the idea for the company arose after the infamous Parkland shooting. Huberty and his team saw an opportunity to utilize AI to detect guns and intervene before any harm occurs. They realized that there was no existing technology on the market that could fulfill this role, prompting them to develop their software.
ZeroEyes uses video cameras already installed at various institutions, such as schools, to scan for the presence of guns. The software processes images frame-by-frame, comparing them to a massive database of gun images compiled by ZeroEyes. If a gun is detected, an alert is immediately sent out along with the image of the location where the gun was spotted. This information can then be relayed to first responders, equipping them to take swift and decisive action.
Montana expressed his interest in ZeroEyes, not only due to its mission but also because the company is led by veterans who have served the nation. Valley Baptist Church has not yet activated the ZeroEyes system, but Montana shared that the congregants are grateful for the efforts being made to protect them.
Montana, drawing on his experiences in law enforcement, emphasized the importance of recognizing the potential threats faced by houses of worship. While he doesn’t advocate for paranoia, Montana believes vigilance is crucial. He acknowledged the unfortunate reality that there are individuals who seek to harm innocent people and stressed the need for churches and other places of worship to remain vigilant.
The integration of AI technology like ZeroEyes offers churches and religious institutions an additional layer of security against potential mass shootings. By harnessing the power of AI, these houses of worship can enhance their ability to protect their congregants and create a safer environment for prayer and worship.
