Drones as Classroom Defense Against Shooters

In a move to enhance school safety, Texas-based Campus Guardian Angel has developed drone systems aimed at responding rapidly to school shooter incidents. These drones are designed to remain on standby in schools, ready to deploy as soon as an emergency alert is triggered.

The drones, controlled from a Central Operations Center in Austin, Texas, are kept in charging stations scattered throughout the school. Upon activation, they aim to neutralize potential threats within just 60 seconds. To assist local law enforcement, they deploy powder pellets, buying critical time during emergencies.

Justin Marston, the founder and CEO of Campus Guardian Angel, appeared on a program to explain how this system works. He noted that many shootings occur within the first two minutes, often ending before police can arrive. “You really need to be prepared from the start,” he mentioned, referencing joint practice drills conducted at schools where law enforcement often seemed to take longer than expected to respond.

He likened the drone system to sprinklers in a fire: they’re pre-emptive tools that can be activated at any moment. Additionally, he emphasized that implementing this technology is quite affordable, costing about $4 per child a month, which can decrease with larger school districts.

Marston expressed optimism about parents’ reactions. “I think most parents would appreciate having this kind of technology available. It’s a safety measure that, hopefully, they won’t need, but could really make a difference if the situation arises.”

The initiative has garnered some government support, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis already approving the use of drones in several counties and private schools in other states collaborating with Campus Guardian Angel to enhance security measures.