Lamar County Schools introducing weapons detectors, AI camera detection - WDAM-TV

LAMAR COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) - Lamar County students and parents know weapons detectors well. The district introduced the technology at extracurricular activities in 2024.

Starting this school year, it will be a daily practice on all middle and high school campuses.

“Many schools in our area and across the state and across the country already do weapons detection daily, and so this is just one more effort that we’re putting in place again out of concern for our community, for our kids,” said Superintendent Dr. Wesley Quick.

Superintendent Quick says weapons detectors are just another tool to help school resource officers secure the district’s 17 campuses.

Lamar County Schools Police Chief Tamica Hill says weapons detectors aren’t the only new addition.

“We are also now starting to use some AI detection on some of our camera streams, on our exterior cameras, that can recognize brandished or unholstered weapons prior to them getting to our campus doors so that we can activate those emergency procedures if we need to,” Hill said.

School leaders have already run trial screenings.

Purvis High School Principal Julie Clinton says students will still be able to get to class in a timely manner, now just with an extra layer of security

“Our students in Lamar County know that we love them and this is just another level to ensure their safety and to make sure that once they get to school, they can feel safe and thrive in the academic learning environment,” Clinton said.

Behind the scenes, Chief Hill says school resource officers have been busy preparing, too, including active-shooter training with realistic weapons to perfect muscle memory.

“We’re excited to welcome students back because that’s when we are just geared up, ready to go,“ Hill said.

Lamar County Schools resource officers also recently participated in the Mississippi Association of SROs conference to study new trends and protection techniques.

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