A Breakthrough in Safety Measures
Texas schools may soon have a new, innovative way to boost security in the wake of the 2023 state law requiring an armed officer on every campus. An Austin-based startup, Campus Guardian Angels, has caught the attention of school districts and lawmakers with its camera-and-speaker-equipped remote-controlled drones. These drones have the potential to revolutionize the way schools approach safety and security, providing a safer environment for students and staff. The company’s drones are equipped with a range of features that make them an attractive option for schools struggling to find and pay for armed campus officers. These include:
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- Cost-effective: The drones cost $15,000 for a box of six, plus $4 per student, which is significantly less than the $15,000 per campus and $10 per student required by HB3
- Flexibility: The drones can be launched from charging boxes on campus, allowing them to be easily deployed in case of an emergency
- Advanced technology: The drones are equipped with a flash crack and pepper spray, making them a deterrent to potential threats
- Increased situational awareness: The drones provide a bird’s-eye view of the campus, allowing school officials to quickly identify potential threats
Testing the Drones
Campus Guardian Angels has already tested its drones in some Florida districts and in Boerne ISD, near San Antonio. Security Chief Rick Goodrich, who has helped test the CGA system in his Texas Hill Country district, has expressed his support for the technology. In a Senate committee hearing, he stated that drones like these could affordably buy life-saving time.
“I believe that these drones could be a game-changer for school safety. They could provide a vital seconds of delay that could make all the difference in a situation where a shooter is on the loose.
A New Option for Funding
House Bill 462 would increase the funding allotted per school for armed guards and make a “remote-human-operated aerial device” an option for districts to be eligible for funding. This bill has not yet received a committee hearing, but it could provide a new option for schools looking to improve their security.
Technical Details
The drones are piloted remotely by drone-racing experts who are trained in safety and security. They are based in Austin, Texas, and would launch from charging boxes on campus once alerted by school officials. Each drone carries a flash crack, a loud, firecracker-like distracting bang, as well as pepper spray. The drones are also equipped with cameras and speakers, allowing them to provide real-time video and audio to school officials. Marston said the drone would essentially be like a police dog, “but more difficult to shoot.”
A Possible Solution for Struggling Districts
For districts that have been struggling to find and pay for armed campus officers, the drones could provide a much-needed solution. By providing a cost-effective alternative, the drones could help schools improve their security without breaking the bank.
- The drones are designed to respond quickly in case of an emergency, with the goal of responding in 5 seconds, confronting the shooter in 15 seconds, and degrading or incapacitating the shooter in 60 seconds.
- The drones are equipped with advanced technology, including a flash crack and pepper spray, making them a deterrent to potential threats.
- The drones provide a bird’s-eye view of the campus, allowing school officials to quickly identify potential threats.
A Call to Action
As the debate over school security continues, it’s clear that innovative solutions like the Campus Guardian Angels drones are needed.
