Temple University’s Department of Public Safety (TUDPS) is now protecting students, faculty, staff and community members with a new, cutting-edge layer of security called ZeroEyes, marking the first time that a university within Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware has implemented an AI gun detection solution that holds the full US Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation.

“We are very excited about ZeroEyes’ ability to provide rapid detection and intelligence involving brandished guns on our campus,” said Jennifer Griffin, Temple’s chief of police and vice president for public safety. “ZeroEyes is another piece of technology we have implemented that not only makes the Temple community safer, but also makes the city safer. There is no doubt about it: Philadelphia and Temple have a growing partnership in safety, and we’re proud to be a part of it.”

“We commend Temple University for being a trailblazer for safety here on the East Coast,” said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes. “We look forward to working closely with the staff to make sure that students and faculty feel safe and are protected against gun-related violence.”

ZeroEyes uses the university’s existing security cameras and a combination of artificial intelligence and human verification to detect exposed guns.

“As part of our annual camera audit, over 400 cameras were upgraded in late 2022 and early 2023 to ensure our cameras are state-of-the-art to provide the greatest success with ZeroEyes,” Griffin said.

“This technology would allow us to be able to mitigate the effects of mass shootings by early identification of a firearm and to respond as quickly as possible in the event of a gun-related incident,” Griffin said.

Here’s how it works: ZeroEyes’ AI gun detection software layers onto Temple’s existing digital security cameras. If a gun is identified, images are instantly shared with the ZeroEyes Operations Center, which is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by specially trained U.S. military and law enforcement veterans. If these experts determine that the threat is valid, they dispatch alerts and intelligence—including visual description, gun type and last known location—to Temple Police as quickly as three to five seconds from the initial detection. TUDPS leadership and the dispatch communications center receive calls and text messages about the incident to activate immediate police deployment.

“It works fast; however, good security comes in layers. That is why here at Temple, we are a leader when it comes to our technology and training. Temple has many layers of security to serve the Temple community,” said Temple Deputy Chief Michael Smith. 

Funding comes from a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. ZeroEyes is the only AI-based gun detection platform that holds the full US Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation.

Tanner Wood, Public Safety Director for Temple Student Government, applauded TUDPS for being a leader in public safety. 

“Implementing ZeroEyes here on campus is another commitment from Temple’s Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin and TUPD to keep safety a top priority for students, faculty, staff and community members,” said Wood.

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