Safeguarding education at Memphis-Shelby County Schools
How AI and a lot of heart make school life much safer in Tennessee.
The schools in Shelby County in the far southwest of Tennessee use the most advanced security solutions. This is made possible by many dedicated people who, together, are going the extra mile to make school life as safe and carefree as possible. Let’s safeguard education now!
Get to know about our partnership with Memphis-Shelby County Schools in this movie:
Creating a safe haven for more than 100,000 students
Memphis-Shelby County Schools is one of the 25 largest public school districts in the United States, serving the educational needs of more than 100,000 students in nearly 180 schools. In 2022, the district began implementing a major security program to significantly increase safety at its schools, relying on the use of state-of-the-art technologies.
Our children are the most precious thing we have – they are our future. It is essential that they find a safe haven in our schools, where they can thrive without worry.
Improving security and safety at almost 180 schools is a team effort
For Superintendent Tutonial Williams, safety at her schools is a matter close to her heart, as she received her education in the same classrooms where her students sit today. When it comes to the security concept, she can rely on the extensive experience of a well-coordinated team and the cooperation of the entire community. Principal John Bush has his finger on the pulse of his school every day and knows what is important.
At Memphis-Shelby County Schools, we knew from the beginning that we could only overcome this challenge together; that‘s why we combined the best people and ideas to update our school safety to the latest state of the art technology.
On the cutting edge of technology to better protect children
Director of Safety and Security Technology Jason Boyd has been a driving force behind the design of the security systems for many years. What keeps him awake at night is the thought that they haven’t done everything they could to protect the students in their schools. He therefore believes it is a must to use the latest technologies, including AI and cloud.
It is important to me personally that we are prepared for all situations. We want to be proactive instead of just reactive.
A long-term partnership leading to forward-looking security solutions
When faced with the task of taking security to a new level, Jason Boyd began brainstorming with industry expert Carlos Montesdeoca. They have been working together extensively for more than eight years to optimize video surveillance at the schools and make use of the opportunities offered by new technologies. They are drawing on the expertise of video systems expert Nils Zerrer, who knows what is technically possible today and in the near future to protect schools even better.
Customized security solutions with intelligent video analytics can make a big difference. Our cameras detect when people enter the premises or are loitering. This gives us the opportunity to intervene proactively.
Intelligent systems that enable fast and appropriate responses
The new generation of cameras detects when people enter the school premises or are loitering suspiciously. The security officers are informed in real time from the new Real-Time Safety Center and gain valuable time to take appropriate action. Memphis-Shelby County Schools is now going one step further with a new innovative security solution. The Gun Detection System from Bosch is the first to pair video and audio AI to prioritize proactive security and safety involving guns at schools that will be monitored in real time at the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Real-Time Safety Center.
The near invisible system offers a multi-layered approach to elevate security and safety on campuses while preserving a welcoming atmosphere that promotes learning. That’s what it’s all about.
A holistic concept specifically tailored to each school
The intelligent video surveillance system is one component of Memphis-Shelby County Schools’ security measures. Chief of Safety and Security Carolyn Jackson has over 30 years of experience in law enforcement and 15 years in school security. Together with her team, she takes a holistic approach. The different security needs of each school are specifically addressed, but they are all part of an overall solution. At the heart of the concept is a real-time safety center where all the relevant information is collected and monitored in real time to be more proactive in the schools.
We can’t fool ourselves; we won’t make the world out there safer, but with this state-of-the-art concept we can at least ensure the safety of all the people who entrust themselves to our schools.
