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Transcript/ScriptGun Detection Technology (TV/R)
HEADLINE: Frustrated by Gun Deaths, Entrepreneurs Turn to Technology
TEASER: Using image recognition technology to identify a gun PUBLISHED: 07/11/2022 at 12:20PM
BYLINE: Julie Taboh
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER:
PRODUCER: Julie Taboh, Adam Greenbaum
SCRIPT EDITORS: Michelle Quinn, Mia Bush
VIDEO SOURCE (S): ZeroEyes, Evolv Technology, Skype, AP, Reuters, WKBW, WLS, ABC
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 2:58
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR [notes]: ))
((INTRO))
[[As the U.S. reels from a surge of recent mass shootings, some technologists are focusing on how to prevent casualties. VOA’s Julie Taboh spoke with a couple of entrepreneurs who’ve developed gun-detecting technologies.]]
((NATS – Student: “Boom, boom, boom, boom! I heard gunshots.”))
((NATS – Student: “I see dead people, dead bodies on the floor.”))
((NARRATOR))
Gun violence in America has reached epidemic proportions.
((NATS – Woman: “I’m terrified, I’m really terrified.”))
((NARRATOR))
And many Americans are fed up.
((NATS – Man at protest, “We are enraged, we are disgusted…”))
((NATS – Guns shooting in range))
While the country is divided about gun rights and gun control laws, the recent mass shootings in a school, a supermarket and at a community parade have put a spotlight on some technology that may help reduce gun deaths.
((Radio track: Mike Lahiff ((LAY-hiff)) is CEO of ZeroEyes, a video analytics company that sells software with artificial intelligence to work with existing security cameras to detect a weapon. He spoke with VOA via Skype))
((Mike Lahiff, ZeroEyes CEO)) ((Skype))
“It was shortly after the Parkland School shooting, ((EDS: 2018)) and my daughter's school started doing lockdown drills -- active shooter drills. She came home really upset from it ((01:43--)) and we said enough is enough, something needs to be done.”
((NARRATOR))
The incident sparked an idea.
((Mike Lahiff, ZeroEyes CEO)) ((Skype))
“I saw people were doing facial recognition technology and I was like, ‘What if we use existing security cameras to detect guns?’”
((Mandatory courtesy: ZeroEyes))
((NARRATOR))
Lahiff’s ((LAY-hiff)) company, ZeroEyes, developed gun-detection software that uses artificial intelligence to analyze data from existing security cameras to look for a gun.
Once the software determines there’s a gun present...
((Mike Lahiff, ZeroEyes CEO)) ((Skype))
“That alert is sent to our ZeroEyes operation center here outside of Philadelphia, that’s staffed 24/7 365 with veterans, and then they look at it and say, ‘Is that really a gun? Or not?’ And if it's a gun, we hit dispatch and that alert goes through to our clients and simultaneously will go to 911.”
((Mandatory courtesy: ZeroEyes))
((NARRATOR))
So now they have a picture of the potential shooter, the type of weapon he’s holding and where he’s located.
((Mike Lahiff, ZeroEyes CEO)) ((Skype))
“That type of actionable intel is critical in these situations to decrease response times.”
((Mandatory courtesy: Rancocas Valley Regional High School))
((NARRATOR))
Rancocas Valley Regional High School in New Jersey was the first to implement the software.
((Radio track: Christopher Heilig ((HIGH-lig)) is the school superintendent. He spoke with VOA via Skype))
((Christopher Heilig, School Superintendent)) ((SKYPE))
“When we had an active shooter drill with this technology, that's what really opened our eyes as to the value of ZeroEyes.”
((NATS – Active Shooter drill))
((NARRATOR))
The school conducted an active shooter drill with the technology…
((NATS – Active Shooter drill))
…which led them to the armed person in about 90 seconds; half the time it took in the same drill without the technology.
((Christopher Heilig, School Superintendent)) ((SKYPE))
“In these situations, it's all about minimizing the time, which minimizes casualties.”
((Mandatory courtesy: Evolv Technology))
((NARRATOR))
For large public venues, some have turned to Evolv Technology’s gates that have scanners that use millimeter wave sensors and other technology that can detect guns and other weapons quickly, allowing thousands of people to enter a space, with minimal disruption.
((Radio track: Peter George is president and CEO of the company. He spoke with VOA via Skype))
((Peter George, Evolv Technology President)) ((SKYPE))
“We use advanced technology like artificial intelligence to find and discriminate between a phone and a firearm, for example, the things you're normally carrying, and something that's a real threat.”
((NARRATOR))
There have been more than 300 mass shootings in the U.S. so far this year.
((Mandatory courtesy: ZeroEyes))
While these technologies can’t guarantee the prevention of more shootings, they’re among efforts to keep public spaces safe.
Mandatory courtesy: Evolv Technology))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Washington D.C.
Embargo DateJuly 11, 2022 16:25 EDT
Byline Julie Taboh, VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
