A Massachusetts grammar school is now equipped with smoke alarm-sized sensors that are activated by the sounds of gun shots to allow police officers to immediately track the movements of an active shooter.
Methuen became the first school to have the system, which was installed at no charge from Shooter Detection System, a Rowley, Mass.-based company. CEO Christian Connors said the system is going to be installed in two more schools in Virginia and California, as well as in undisclosed airports, according to a Reuters report.
The company was founded in 2013 and is using the same technology the military uses to help soldiers locate enemy fire during battles. The program could cost $20,000 to $100,000, depending on the size and structure.
With the students being off for Veterans Day, the technology was displayed in a simulated school shooting in Methuen before government and law officials Tuesday. A “gunman” entered the school with an assault rifle and began firing dummy rounds, starting with the library and then working his way through the hallways and classrooms before he was stopped after only a few minutes.
Methuen has never had an active shooter situation in their schools, but was among the first to conduct “active threat” drills for police officers and to have school resource officers in the buildings.
Image: Company’s website
