School security drones being tested at 500 locations can’t solve Uvalde locked door problem

TLDR:

• A Texas startup is testing security drones that can confront school shooters in 15 seconds with pepper spray, flash-bangs and ramming capabilities
• The drones promise “SEAL Team Six” response times but can’t penetrate locked doors like those at Uvalde’s Robb Elementary
• 500 drones are being tested at dozens of schools across four states through early February
• Critics question whether remote operators “many states away” can effectively stop determined killers who can “shoot through distractions”

A Texas company is testing shoebox-sized security drones designed to stop school shooters before police arrive — but critics say the technology can’t solve the problem that trapped victims at Uvalde.

Campus Guardian Angel is running a pilot program with 500 drones at schools in Florida, Texas, Colorado and the District of Columbia. The Austin-based company charges roughly $9,000 for three drones that operators control remotely through live video feeds.

“We’re building the SEAL Team Six of school safety,” CEO Justin Marston said. “It’s like having a SWAT team in the parking lot ready to go, but without the cost.”

The drones promise to confront shooters in 15 seconds and incapacitate them in 50 seconds using sirens, pepper spray balls, flash-bang grenades and ramming.

But firearms trainer Laura Carno noted the drones cannot pass through locked doors, as in the May 2022 Robb Elementary shooting that killed 19 students and two teachers.

“A killer can continue to shoot through distractions,” Ms. Carno said.

Florida approved $557,000 for three districts to test the drones after reporting more than 60 school shootings since 2018.

Read more:

• Texas startup company is testing security drones to disorient school shooters