Located in Fortbranch, Indiana, Gibson Southern High School serves just over 700 students in grades nine through twelve with a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 20 to 1. The school received the Indiana Four Star School Award for academic excellence among both students and the administration for seven consecutive years.
The challenge
Like all schools across the country, Gibson Southern is charged with keeping its students and staff safe and secure during the school day.
Unfortunately, active shooter situations have become all too common, and given the potential for these events to escalate quickly before police can arrive, schools and other organisations need to be prepared to initiate reaction quickly and effectively.
3xLOGIC Gunshot Detection solutions
We met with representatives from Sonitrol and 3xLOGIC and decided to install one unit in the front entryway
Based on conversations with its security solutions provider, Sonitrol of Evansville, the school installed four 3xLOGIC Gunshot Detection solutions at various locations within the building before the 2020-2021 school year.
“We did not even know about the availability of these devices, so when they approached us about them, we said, ‘Yeah, let’s do it,” says Lienemann, who serves as School Resource Officer at Gibson Southern. “We met here with representatives from Sonitrol and 3xLOGIC and decided to install one unit in the front entryway where you come into the building, one in the cafeteria, and one up in the academic hall.”
Recognition sensors
Rather than utilising microphones, infrared sensors, or complex analytics, the self-contained device relies on affordably simple concussive force recognition sensors to detect gunshots. When a gun is fired, the bullet creates a shockwave as it exits the barrel of the gun and travels through the air.
This shockwave creates a unique concussive force that the 3xLOGIC solution is able to detect, reducing the potential for false activations from loud noises. The Gunshot Detection solution also features a reliable dry contact that allows it to be easily integrated into existing security solutions, such as video surveillance, access control, alarm panels, and others.
Benefits of the solution
The solution minimises the number of Gunshot Detection sensors required
“In an active shooter situation, the earlier a response can be initiated, the better. These integrations allow us to provide the best possible information to any responding officers in an active shooter situation while also improving the safety of those inside the building,” says Chris Dingman, Operations Manager for Sonitrol of Evansville.
With a detection radius of 75 feet and 360-degree coverage, offering 15,000 cubic feet of coverage per device, the solution minimises the number of Gunshot Detection sensors required, allowing for affordable coverage with no need for software, servers, or relay control board.
“Despite all the noise in the cafeteria and hallways, we haven’t had a false activation. Thankfully, we haven’t needed gunshot detection but it’s good to know that it’s there just in case,” Dan Lienemann, Gibson County Sheriff's Department.
Eliminates false activations
Concussive force detection eliminates false activations from loud noises, such as lockers or a door slamming, which are common in a high school.
Affordable solution
Gunshot Detection’s range and coverage minimise the number of sensors required with no need for software, servers, or a relay board, making it an affordable solution for schools.