Sentinel Article : New MCPS AI security cameras are being installed in schools

[Anonymous]

As a parent with kids in MCPS schools, I've been watching the news about the AI cameras being piloted in some of our high schools and honestly I'm a little creeped out

Students seem to feel that way too — the Montgomery County Sentinel ran a piece yesterday quoting students pushing back because they feel surveilled in their own hallways. https://www.thesentinel.com/communities/new-mcps-ai-security-cameras-are-being-installed-in-schools/article_2c7bdd30-8fc8-4512-82b7-175b5d5f61ac.html

But beyond privacy, AI gets things wrong in ways that can be genuinely traumatic. Just last fall, a student at a Baltimore County high school was surrounded by eight police cars, forced to his knees, and handcuffed — because the AI mistook a crumpled bag of Doritos for a gun. A bag of chips. That happened here in Maryland. https://www.wbaltv.com/article/student-handcuffed-ai-system-mistook-bag-chips-weapon/69114601

So, why did MCPS pick this pilot program less than 3 months later? Is that really the best option for school safety?

About a month ago the MoCo Show covered how students at Sherwood HS traveled to Capitol Hill to advocate for Alyssa's Law — legislation that would connect schools directly to law enforcement through silent panic alarms. Ten states have passed it. Maryland hasn't. And as far as I can tell, none of our major districts have adopted wearable panic buttons for staff, which let teachers quietly call for help if they see something, whether it's a threat, a medical emergency, anything.

Cameras that watch hallways — and apparently can't tell a Doritos bag from a firearm — aren't the same as giving teachers an actual tool to get help.

And with budgets tightening across the district, I think that its pretty important to ask if AI surveillance is the best use of our school funds.

Curious if other MCPS parents are thinking about this too.

[Anonymous]

You realize there are security cameras everywhere you go. You have no privacy outside your home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You realize there are security cameras everywhere you go. You have no privacy outside your home.

It's the AI cameras that mistake chip bags for guns, or some other misread, that the OP has raised as a concern. Read the post again, and you see how you go from being surveilled, to be surveilled by an AI camera that triggers an alert to the police to surround a student who didn't have a gun, but rather, a crumpled Dorito chips bag. What other mistakes does an AI camera make? Possibilities are numerous. That is the problem.

How much is Taylor open spending on this new technology?

[Anonymous]

Seems hasty. I like the idea of teachers and staff having silent alarm buttons

[Anonymous]

Can't find how much the pilot cost, but a different Banner article mentioned: "School leaders in nearby Loudoun County recently signed a five-year contract with VOLT AI, set to be reviewed each year. It cost $1.1 million for the first year, The Washington Post reported."

https://www.thebanner.com/education/k-12-schools/ai-powered-weapons-detection-montgomery-schools-wootton-HX2I2EI5YZC2NAK4OMDITQX2PU/

[Anonymous]

I would definitely prioritize the silent panic buttons, which have saved lives in multiple incidents.

I hate AI but I'm not totally opposed to this idea, if it's used properly as a tool rather than replacement for human judgment. Like if the AI can send an alert that says "there may be a fight brewing in the A hallway outside room 315" and then security guards can go take a look -- that seems fine and a helpful way to maybe direct limited human resources. A police officer TRUSTING AI when it says "this kid has a gun!" seems really dumb since AI is wrong so often. If AI says "this kid has a gun" seems like the reasonable thing would be for an officer to approach and say "Hi, Larlo, can I check your backpack please?" with another officer there as backup.

[Anonymous]

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1314085.page