Kansas School District Enhances Security Infrastructure with Proactive SolutionFunded Through State Firearm Detection Grant Program
Colby Public Schools in Kansas has deployed ZeroEyes AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness technology to strengthen school safety and provide a proactive approach to identifying potential firearm threats.
The rural Kansas school district serves approximately 950 students across three campuses, including an elementary school, middle school, and high school, supported by 175 employees. The district’s community-focused environment emphasizes strong relationships between students, staff, families, and local partners.
The deployment was made possible through funding from the Kansas Safe and Secure Firearm Detection Grant Program, administered by the Office of the Kansas Attorney General. The grant followed collaboration between district leaders, local law enforcement, and community stakeholders to identify AI-powered gun detection as a priority for improving school security.
“As a smaller district, we don’t have the resources to dedicate someone to monitoring cameras at all times,” said Lucas Schnider, IT Director at Colby Public Schools.
“ZeroEyes acts as an extra set of eyes to catch something we might otherwise miss. Most security tools are reactive, but this gives us a proactive way to respond and better protect our students and staff.”
AI-Powered Threat Detection For Faster Response
ZeroEyes technology integrates with existing digital security cameras to provide AI-powered firearm detection and situational awareness capabilities.
When a gun is detected, images are immediately transmitted to the ZeroEyes Operations Center (ZOC), a U.S.-based, in-house monitoring center staffed 24/7/365 by trained military and law enforcement veterans.
After verification, the system provides alerts and actionable intelligence to school officials and law enforcement, including details such as the visual description, weapon type, and last known location. This information can be delivered within seconds of detection to support faster emergency response.
Strengthening School And Community Partnerships
Colby Public Schools maintains an active partnership with local law enforcement, with officers regularly working alongside the district on safety initiatives and emergency preparedness.
The integration of AI-based threat detection technology supports the district’s goal of creating a secure learning environment while maintaining the close community connections that define the school system.
“Colby Public Schools is building a culture of safety where students can learn, grow, and thrive every day,” said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes.
“By leveraging state grant funding and strengthening their existing safety partnerships, the district is demonstrating its commitment to protecting students and staff while preserving the close-knit culture that defines its community.”
ZeroEyes provides AI-powered security analytics and threat detection solutions designed to improve preparedness, accelerate threat identification, and support faster emergency response. Its platform delivers real-time detection and actionable intelligence for visibly brandished weapons, including guns and knives, helping organizations notify local staff and law enforcement with critical information within seconds of detection.
1. What technology has Colby Public Schools deployed? Colby Public Schools has deployed ZeroEyes AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness technology to enhance school safety.
2. How does ZeroEyes work with existing security cameras? ZeroEyes adds AI analytics to existing digital security cameras to identify potential firearm threats and send alerts for verification and response.
3. How is the system funded? The deployment was funded through the Kansas Safe and Secure Firearm Detection Grant Program administered by the Office of the Kansas Attorney General.
4. Who receives alerts when a threat is detected? Verified alerts and threat intelligence are shared with school officials and law enforcement to support rapid response.
5. What makes ZeroEyes different from traditional security tools? ZeroEyes provides proactive threat detection by identifying potential weapon threats before or during incidents rather than relying only on post-event review.
