Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Leading the Way in School Safety with Innovative AI Technology

Plymouth, Michigan – A New Era of School Safety through AI Technology

Plymouth-Canton Community Schools (P-CCS) is on the frontier of school safety with the introduction of a new artificial intelligence system designed to enhance security across its campuses. This initiative comes as part of a partnership with Motorola, which is beta testing a technology called Avigilon.

What the System Does

The Avigilon system employs AI to analyze footage from the district’s 1,600 security cameras, effectively monitoring its 16,000 students. Currently, school officials admit that keeping track of every camera in real-time is a daunting task. According to Josh Meier, the Safety and Security Director, the AI’s potential to identify threats autonomously could be a game changer for school safety. One impressive feature allows the system to detect armed individuals on school property automatically.

Testing Phase

P-CCS conducted a rigorous test of the system during the summer break of 2024. Police officers participated by entering the school with real firearms. The AI cameras detected the weaponry long before the officers stepped inside. “We had already alerted to this long before they walked through that door,” explained Meier during a demonstration of the recorded simulation.

Capabilities Beyond Weapon Detection

Beyond identifying armed threats, the AI technology can learn and adapt to normal patterns of student behavior. For example, if movement is detected at an unusual time, the system will send alerts to appropriate personnel, allowing them to assess the situation quickly. Meier stated, “It’s going to say there’s an unusual event occurring. We can quickly look at a 10-second clip and say, ‘Oh, that’s just a student going to the bathroom.’”

Automatic Alerts to Law Enforcement

The district is also exploring the possibility of sending automated notifications, including pictures and descriptions of the assailants, directly to law enforcement. Meier emphasized, “Instead, we want to send that directly to officers in their patrol car so they know instantly who they’re looking for.”

Addressing Privacy Concerns

While the technology has garnered praise for its potential benefits, it has also faced criticism for possible intrusiveness. P-CCS Superintendent Dr. Monica Merritt acknowledged this concern. “You really have to communicate your why. We’re not here to watch; we are looking and utilizing our resources to ensure safety,” she stated.

Limitations and Additional Security Measures

Despite its innovative features, the Avigilon system does have limitations; it cannot detect concealed weapons. To address this gap, the district employs a K9 unit named Echo, a trained weapon detection dog that can sense gunpowder and related substances. K9 Handler Scott Hughesdon remarked on Echo’s approach, saying, “The students don’t even know that he’s actually doing something.”

Mental Health Considerations

P-CCS aims for a comprehensive approach to school safety that goes beyond technology. Dr. Merritt highlighted the importance of mental health in relation to security. “I think that we can’t just talk about safety without talking about mental health as well,” she stated. Echo is also trained as a therapy dog, providing comfort to students in distress, showcasing the district’s commitment to emotional well-being alongside physical safety.

Funding and Future Steps

This advanced security initiative has been made possible through a $1.9 million grant from the state of Michigan, aimed at implementing the Motorola Avigilon system. As P-CCS continues to explore and enhance its safety protocols, the community remains hopeful that these measures will significantly contribute to student safety in an increasingly complex world.

With ongoing evaluations and adjustments, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools is setting the stage for what could be a significant turning point in how educational institutions approach safety and security in the 21st century.