Eagle Eye Networks, a pioneer in cloud video surveillance, has unveiled Eagle Eye Gun Detection, an innovative system designed to enhance security for schools and businesses.
This new layer of protection integrates with existing security cameras and infrastructure, making Eagle Eye Networks the first to incorporate gun detection into its platform. The launch was announced at a press conference at the Capital Factory, featuring insights from leaders at St. Thomas University, Valour School, and St. Julian Episcopal Church, as well as law enforcement and security technology experts.
Eagle Eye Gun Detection Enhances Security
Cameras can now move beyond passive recording to actively detect the presence of guns
Despite the widespread installation of security cameras globally, their use for active security measures has been limited. With the introduction of Eagle Eye Gun Detection, cameras can now move beyond passive recording to actively detect the presence of guns.
This proactive tool is essential for early intervention in potential active shooter situations, providing critical time for schools and businesses to respond effectively. Additionally, the system works in conjunction with Eagle Eye 911 Camera Sharing, granting 911 centres access to live video feeds to aid first responders.
Addressing Gun Violence
In the United States, gun violence has emerged as the leading cause of death among children and teens, overtaking car accidents. Statistics from the CDC and the Gun Violence Archive highlight the severity of the issue, with 503 mass shootings occurring in 2024 alone, resulting in 1,403 child fatalities and 3,700 injuries.
The financial impact is significant, costing the U.S. economy an estimated $557 billion annually. Eagle Eye's initiative aims to tackle this major public safety concern with its advanced gun detection technology.
Triple-layer Verification System
To ensure top-tier accuracy in gun detection, Eagle Eye has developed a Triple-layer Verification system
To ensure top-tier accuracy in gun detection, Eagle Eye has developed a Triple-layer Verification system, involving two AI models and human oversight. The process begins with Rapid Edge AI, which continuously assesses camera footage on-site for potential gun threats.
If a gun is detected, the footage is analysed by the Advanced Cloud AI, which uses a large-scale model for enhanced accuracy, reducing false positives. Lastly, the Eagle Eye Human Review Service confirms detections, triggering emergency response protocols.
Capabilities and Integration
Eagle Eye Gun Detection offers several benefits, including its status as the first video management system (VMS) integrated with gun detection.
As part of the Eagle Eye Cloud VMS, the open platform allows for the addition of AI features and integration with numerous third-party technologies. The partnership with Eagle Eye 911 Camera Sharing further empowers emergency services with access to live and recorded footage, improving situational awareness and response times.
Community and Customer Feedback
The technology has received commendations from leaders across various institutions. H.E. Jenkins, Chief of Police at St. Thomas University, described it as "a game-changer," applauding its AI-powered, camera-agnostic capabilities.
Matthew Schwandt of Valour School appreciated its unobtrusive nature, while preventing potential threats. Ross Perry from St. Julian Episcopal Church valued the proactive protection it provides. John Murphy from ProTecVideo highlighted its potential to enhance law enforcement response times, and Joshua Baer of Capital Factory praised its seamless integration with existing systems.
A Mission for Safety
"At Eagle Eye Networks, making the world a safer place is our mission," stated Dean Drako, CEO of Eagle Eye Networks.
"The launch of Eagle Eye Gun Detection represents more than just a product release; it’s a community-driven security initiative supported by a diverse range of organisations and dedicated public officials."
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, Valour 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 analyses 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 centre 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 analysed 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 organisations.
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, Valour 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 Centre): “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 organisations like the Capital Factory, St. Thomas University, Valour 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.”
