MLK Community Healthcare has deployed the Athena Security Apollo 500 Weapons Detection System to strengthen hospital security and support compliance with California’s workplace violence prevention requirements.
The AI-powered concealed weapons detection system has been installed at the South Los Angeles nonprofit healthcare system to help improve safety for patients, visitors, and staff while maintaining efficient entry screening with minimal disruption.
AI-Powered Screening For Hospital Entrances
MLK Community Healthcare selected the Apollo 500 Weapons Detection System, an AI-enabled walk-through concealed weapons detection platform designed for high-traffic environments such as hospitals and healthcare facilities.
The system is engineered to:
- Detect concealed weapons using artificial intelligence
- Support fast, walk-through screening
- Minimize disruption at busy hospital entrances
- Improve safety for patients, visitors, and healthcare workers
The deployment reflects growing efforts by healthcare organizations to address workplace violence while maintaining a positive patient experience.
Supporting Compliance With California AB 2975
The installation comes ahead of California’s AB 2975 legislation, which requires hospitals and certain healthcare facilities to implement automated weapons detection systems at key entrances as part of workplace violence prevention measures.
According to Trenton Jackson, Director of Public Safety and Support Services at MLK Community Healthcare, the hospital evaluated multiple solutions before selecting Athena Security.
He said:
“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.”
Jackson added:
“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.”
Enhancing Safety Through AI
Lisa Falzone, co-founder and president of Athena Security, emphasized the importance of improving workplace safety in healthcare environments.
She said:
“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 added:
“By leveraging our expertise in the security space and utilizing 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.”
Proven Performance In Healthcare
Athena Security noted that its Apollo 500 platform has demonstrated effectiveness in healthcare environments.
According to the company, a recent case study involving an Illinois healthcare system found that the Apollo 500 successfully detected more than 200 weapons during 2025, helping strengthen hospital security while maintaining operational efficiency.
Athena Security develops AI-powered security technologies for hospitals, schools, corporate campuses, and public venues. Its portfolio includes concealed weapons detection, AI-powered X-ray screening, visitor management, ambulance bay security, secondary screening systems, AI agents, telepresence security, and incident reporting platforms designed to improve safety while minimizing operational disruption.
MLK Community Healthcare is an award-winning nonprofit, safety-net hospital and health system serving 1.3 million residents in South Los Angeles. Since opening in 2015, MLKCH has offered emergency and inpatient services through its 131-bed hospital, as well as primary and specialty care through the MLK Community Medical Group, with practice sites in locations throughout South LA. MLKCH also offers community health education and outreach to improve the health of our community.
Internal Links
https://security.world/?s=Athena+Security
https://security.world/category/healthcare-security/
External Links
https://www.athena-security.com/
https://www.mlkch.org/
FAQs
Q: What security technology has MLK Community Healthcare deployed?
MLK Community Healthcare has installed the Athena Security Apollo 500 AI-powered concealed weapons detection system to enhance safety at hospital entrances.
Q: Why did the hospital install the Apollo 500?
The deployment supports workplace safety initiatives and helps the hospital comply with California’s AB 2975 workplace violence prevention requirements.
Q: What is the Apollo 500 Weapons Detection System?
The Apollo 500 is an AI-powered walk-through concealed weapons detection system designed for hospitals and other high-traffic facilities, enabling efficient screening with minimal disruption.
Q: What benefits does the system provide?
The system helps detect concealed weapons, improves security for patients and staff, supports regulatory compliance, and maintains smooth visitor flow through hospital entrances.
Source: athena-security.com