Superintendent praises new age of school security

BURTON, Ohio (WJW) — The new age of school security might’ve arrived in Geauga County three years ago. Berkshire Schools Superintendent John Stoddard is almost sure of it.

“I think there are now between six to twelve school districts using the technology,” Stoddard said.

The small but growing company called “Zero Eyes” has made a believer out of administrators like Stoddard, who have installed their security cameras all over his school grounds.

The camera, which works 24/7, uses AI to specifically look out for the most feared threat known to schools nationwide.

“It’s gun detection, basically. They need to see about a third of the weapon. But they don’t just use AI. The AI alerts a command center which is monitored by former military and police,” explained Stoddard.

Stoddard thinks a big reason why other school districts could jump on board,  the technology is cost-effective and doesn’t require a school to use any of its own staff to use it.

“To me, $60 per camera per month is worth it. And the beauty of it is that it doesn’t require us to staff anything,” he said.

Going into school year number three with zero eyes in place, Stoddard feels it’s time to speak up about the program.

He holds out hope that no one will try to test it in the future, but he is glad to have zero eyes in place if someone does.

“It gives me great peace of mind probably more than anyone else because I see exactly how it works,” he said.

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