The Role Gunshot Detection Systems Play in Active Shooter Events

In February 2024, police were dispatched to a charter school in Dallas, TX, in response to an active shooter situation. A 16-year-old student who was holding a gun was shot by police and recovered. Around the same time, another shooting occurred across from Skyline High School. In March 2023, a student was shot in the parking lot of Dallas’ Thomas Jefferson High School. This shooting occurred one day after a shooting outside Lamar High School took the life of a 16-year-old boy and injured a young girl. 

Unfortunately, these events are on the rise, leaving students, staff, and parents looking for answers. 

At ASAP Security Services, we’ve been speaking with school administrators, legislators, and security experts, exploring the challenges we face and the opportunities to enhance school safety. You can find some of the latest technologies designed to improve response times on our SECURED podcast. One of the AI-enhanced solutions that provide quick notification to school administrators, security, and police is a gunshot detection system.

Here, we’ll explore what these systems offer schools and why more districts are turning to these advanced devices.

SEE ALSO: Discover the Role Security Film Plays in Protecting Schools 

The Purpose of a Gunshot Detection System

A gunshot detection system in a school setting is designed for several purposes.

• Reduce police response times in the event of an active shooter.
• Warn school security and administrators of a possible threat in the area.
• Prompt a school lockdown to prevent intrusion or limit access to the shooter.

A computer science research team at Purdue University Northwest studied 15 active shooter events at schools and found that it usually took someone about five minutes to recognize gunshots and call 911. The gunshot detection system alerted police in two to five seconds.

In an active shooter event, those minutes are vital. In addition to awareness, the system sends the number of shots fired, the location, and a map. According to Brian Miller, the director of public safety at PNW, it can be difficult to determine a shooter’s location in a school with several levels due to echoes. This system gives authorities the floor they’re on and what side of the building, enabling a much faster response.

The School Response to a Gunshot Warning

When a school receives notification of a gun fired seconds after it occurs, they can immediately put the school into lockdown, restrict access, or start the evacuation process, depending on the situation. This quick response can, bottom line, save lives.

One Component of a Comprehensive Security System

When integrated with other security measures, such as access control and video surveillance, schools can significantly impact the outcome of an active shooter event. The system immediately directs cameras to zoom in and track the individual. 

Live surveillance footage enables police to see the exact location of the shooter. First responders become aware of potential victims, allowing them to provide life-saving support quickly.

At ASAP Security Services, we integrate the latest technology to provide schools with proven security measures that help them and police deter, identify, and quickly respond to potential threats. To learn more about gunshot detection systems or to schedule a complimentary consultation, contact ASAP Security Services today.