East Alton Wood River Community High School District #14 is launching the Omnilert Gun Detection system as part of its ongoing, strategic approach to school safety. The system is scheduled to go live on campus Monday morning.
The deployment of this system is not the result of any specific incident or recent event. Rather, the District has been working over the past year on planning, testing, and implementing additional safety measures as part of its long-term commitment to continuous improvement in school safety. Omnilert represents another layer of security, and the District will continue to evaluate and add additional layers over time.
As part of this broader effort, the District has also upgraded its camera infrastructure to the Genetec platform, added numerous new cameras, and expanded overall coverage by more than 50 additional camera lenses. These upgrades support improved visibility, reliability, and coordination across campus.
The purpose of the Omnilert system is to detect visibly brandished firearms, such as handguns or rifles, using existing school security cameras. The system does not predict behavior, monitor conversations, or identify individuals. It is designed solely to recognize when a firearm is visibly present and help adults respond more quickly.
When the system detects what appears to be a brandished firearm, a notification is immediately sent to designated school administrators and security personnel. At the same time, Omnilert’s 24/7 monitoring center contacts trained district leaders to confirm whether the alert should be escalated or canceled. If an alert is confirmed, local law enforcement is notified immediately, allowing for a faster and more coordinated response. Human confirmation is always required before any escalation occurs.
This system is not intended to replace people or established procedures. Instead, it serves as an early-warning tool to reduce response time and improve communication during high-risk situations.
The Omnilert system is being added as another layer of safety, complementing the District’s existing Evolv weapons detection system, which is used at a designated entry point. Together, these systems support a broader safety strategy focused on both perimeter awareness and internal response, while maintaining a normal and welcoming school environment.
In an effort to strengthen a safety perimeter around the campus, the District is prioritizing exterior camera coverage while also maintaining coverage in key interior entrances, exits, and high-traffic student areas. Coverage can be adjusted over time based on need. The system has been tested in coordination with the Wood River Police Department to ensure it performs effectively under real-world conditions.
The District emphasizes that Omnilert:
Detects brandished firearms only
Does not listen to conversations or track individuals
Does not replace staff supervision, student reporting, or established emergency procedures
Does not change daily routines for students or staff
This safety investment aligns with the District’s strategic planning priorities, which emphasize proactive risk reduction, preparedness, and continuous improvement. Student safety remains central to all planning and decision-making.
The District will continue to evaluate and strengthen its safety measures in partnership with local law enforcement and as part of its ongoing strategic planning efforts.