“E.R.A.S.E” Crowdfunding Campaign Opens on Indiegogo with Goal of Deploying Lifesaving Shooter Detection Technology in 50 Schools Across the U.S.
iCrowdNewswire – Nov 13, 2015
Rowley, Massachusetts – In response to the increasing rate of active shooting incidents in our nation’s schools, noted artist Greg Bokor and Chris Connors, CEO of Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), today officially launched the “Early Response to Active Shooter Events” (E.R.A.S.E.) crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. This important campaign is focused on raising the funding required to install lifesaving gunshot detection technology in 50 schools (one in each state) across the United States.
WATCH VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/145443950
“Every time an active shooting occurs at a school in the U.S., the levels of anger and frustration grow as little is being done to make our schools safer from gun violence,” said Connors. “As fathers of young children, Greg and I decided to take action to show how we can increase the safety measures within our schools. Together, we have created the “E.R.A.S.E.” campaign to demonstrate that the deployment of shooter detection technology can have a major impact in saving lives during active shooting incidents.”
“This campaign is not political. It focuses on taking actionable steps to protect the students and administrators in our schools from the threat of senseless shooting incidents,” added Bokor. “By allowing the nation to be part of the solution through this crowdfunding campaign, we hope that together we can show that there are measures we can take as a nation to help to save innocent lives in our schools.”
ERASING Response Time
According to the FBI, an average active shooter incident lasts 12.5 minutes, yet the average emergency response to active shootings takes 18 minutes. Furthermore, once emergency responders arrive at the scene, they typically have little information on the location of the shooter within the building. Without knowing the location of the shooter, first responders and authorities are often forced to respond to such threats blindly, severely delaying their efforts to secure the building.
Similar in nature to smoke alarms, gunshot detection technologies such as SDS’ Guardian provide the school’s occupants and first responders with immediate notification that a shot has been fired, as well as a graphic depiction of the school’s layout – pinpointing the shooter’s specific location. Through extensive testing and real-world deployments, Guardian has been proven to reduce response times from 18 minutes down to as little as two minutes. This is critical, as every minute saved – or erased – has true life-saving potential.
Join Us In Making Our Schools Safer!
We urge you to join our efforts and contribute to the E.R.A.S.E. campaign to make our schools safer through the deployment of SDS Guardian technology. To make a contribution, please visit http://igg.me/at/funderase/x/12639137. For more information on the E.R.A.S.E. campaign, please visit www.funderase.com.
Please support us in spreading awareness to this important cause by “liking” the E.R.A.S.E. campaign on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/erasegunviolence/), following us on Twitter @FundErase, and by using the hashtag #FundErase in your social media posts.
About Bokor and Connors
Greg Bokor gained national acclaim for his exhibit “ERASE,” which was launched at the Art Prize Festival of Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 2013. The exhibit contained a 20-foot, hand-drawn AR-15 rifle, which then was “erased” using erasers stamped with the names and ages of victims from the Columbine, Virginia Tech, Aurora and Newtown massacres (see video of the exhibit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GadGZypup1A).
Chris Connors is the CEO of Shooter Detection Systems, the leader in indoor gunshot detection technology. SDS’ product, Guardian Indoor Active Shooter Detection System, is currently deployed in a handful of schools across the US and has been tested extensively by the US Department of Homeland Security. The technology underlying the Guardian sensor has been used to protect our servicemen and servicewomen overseas for the last 10-years, where it has been credited with saving hundreds of lives. In making Guardian, SDS has re-purposed this technology specifically for indoor use in schools and other public venues.
About Shooter Detection Systems
Shooter Detection Systems is the world leader in indoor gunshot detection technology. Developed in conjunction with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), SDS’ gunshot detection systems utilize the most advanced and proven shooter detection technologies available in the commercial market. SDS is focused on saving lives through the use of proven, military-grade technology designed by some of the world’s foremost scientists. The company’s technology is currently deployed in schools, corporations, major utilities, and manufacturing plants with upcoming installations in airports, financial institutions, hospitals and government and private buildings. For more information, visit our website at www.shooterdetectionsystems.com or call 1-844-SHOT911.
