ZeroEyes granted affiliation agreement with New York Boards of Cooperative Educational Services

ZeroEyes today announced it has been granted an affiliation agreement with the Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) for the New York State Education Department (NYSED).

BOCES services provide an economical way for districts to offer technologies they otherwise might not be able to afford, promoting equity among all districts regardless of enrollment, income, or size of the tax base. The inclusion of ZeroEyes enables applicable school districts within the state of New York to apply for a BOCES Master License and Service Agreement (MLSA) to deploy its AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software at pre-negotiated, discounted prices. BOCES membership is available to all the state's school districts except the "Big Five": New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, and Syracuse.

"Ensuring the safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and integrating ZeroEyes into our security framework significantly advances our ability to protect our community," said Dr. Brian Graham, Superintendent of the Grand Island Central School District. "The ability to deploy this cutting-edge AI gun detection technology through a BOCES Master License and Service Agreement is truly a game changer for districts across New York State. It levels the playing field by making advanced safety solutions accessible and affordable for all applicable districts, regardless of size or budget. With ZeroEyes, we are confident that we are taking proactive steps to identify and mitigate potential threats, enhancing the security and peace of mind for everyone in our schools." 

ZeroEyes' AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software layers onto existing digital security cameras. If a gun is identified, images are instantly shared with the ZeroEyes Operations Center (ZOC), which is staffed 24/7/365 by specially trained military and law enforcement veterans. If these experts determine that the threat is valid, they dispatch alerts and actionable intelligence — including visual description, gun type, and last known location — to local law enforcement and school administrators as quickly as 3 to 5 seconds from detection.

ZeroEyes was nominated to receive an affiliation agreement by a New York-based district that has already deployed the technology. The technology was then reviewed by a committee within BOCES based on factors such as quality, cost-effectiveness, alignment with educational goals, and qualifications and experience. Starting today, individual school districts may apply to receive financial and programmatic aid to deploy ZeroEyes. The total amount of aid provided to districts is based on a state-approved formula.

"Gun-related violence is a pervasive issue in our country that touches everyone, and ensuring safety for all is crucial," said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes. "We are honored to be recognized by BOCES and look forward to deploying ZeroEyes' cutting-edge AI gun detection and situational awareness solutions to school districts throughout New York State."