Mosque gets weapons- detecting cameras

Christchurch’s Al-Noor Mosque will be one of the first two mosques to implement an AI-powered active shooter detection platform to protect its worshippers and staff after the tragic 15 March mass shooting.

The solution is the result of a partnership between Texas-based Athena Security and Qatar-based Al-Ameri International Trading to launch Keep Mosques Safe (KMS), an initiative designed to prevent active shooter situations at mosques through gun detection.

Al-Ameri, along with Islamic charities and foundations, will finance the installation of Athena’s AI-powered gun and weapons detection platform in at least 20 mosques internationally, including in the US, the UK, New Zealand and Australia.

Co-founded in 2018 in Austin, Texas, by serial entrepreneurs Lisa Falzone and Chris Ciabarra, the company took out the Threat/Risk Management Systems category for their “AI Threat Detection and Safety Platform” at the 2019 Security Industry Association (SIA) New Product Showcase Awards.

“The Keep Mosques Safe initiative helps worship spaces better protect themselves from extremists who wish to do them harm, by providing effective safety tools to prevent these horrific events,” said Falzone.

Shagaf Khan, President of the Muslim Association of Canterbury New Zealand and the Al-Noor Mosques said of the gift: “It gives us great pride to have ‘brothers and sisters’ like Brother Fahad A.B. Al-Ameri and his respected family who have shown their solidarity with the Al-Noor Mosque.

Mr. Fahad A.B. Al-Ameri, CEO of Al-Ameri International.

“After the tragic attack in the Al- Noor Mosque, I reached out to pay my condolences to Brother Shagaf Khan, as many had done,” said Fahad A.B. Al- Ameri, CEO of Al-Ameri International. “I was also committed to help support the New Zealand Islamic Community, and the search began for an intelligent system to prevent such incidents from happening again.”

“I wish to thank each and every person at Athena and I hope for many more mosques to be protected by their system in the near future.”

Lessons from school shootings

According to Athena’s analysis of past events, it takes from 3 to 12 minutes for authorities to be alerted to an active shooter incident. Because these incidents are often over in five minutes, most attackers do their damage before police arrive.

Additionally, mass shooting incidents typically generate a great deal of incorrect information. Many witnesses at the scene may telephone police and provide conflicting or unclear reports about the appearance and location of a shooter or shooters. It can then be difficult for police to form an accurate picture of unfolding events at the scene.

Athena claims that its platform, which works with most existing surveillance camera systems, has been developed with law enforcement and trained on scenarios under their supervision.

The video weapon detection system monitors camera feeds and recognises drawn weapons within seconds of seeing them. Once a weapon is recognised, an alert is sent to security resources via a smartphone app, providing mosque administrators and law enforcement maximum time to respond.

The platform detects active shooters before a weapon is fired using artificial intelligence and motion detection to spot threatening objects – like guns and knives, and threatening motion – like someone drawing a gun or raising a fist.

Christchurch’s Al-Noor Mosque.

Apart from sending a real-time video feed to security staff, or to law enforcement if configured to do so, the system also connects with a camera’s speaker, so officers or negotiators can communicate directly with the attacker to inform them that they have been identified and that authorities are on their way.

Canterbury Muslim Association president Khan said that Al-Noor Mosque’s newly installed system would just be used by mosque management initially.

Building on the system’s current 99 percent accuracy in recognising drawn weapons, 2019 enhancements include a mapping capability to help responders pinpoint and track the location of threats and the ability to recognise fights when they start since they often escalate to gun violence.

The technology’s AI is geared specifically towards object – rather than facial – recognition, however, facial recognition has been slated for near-term release.

Integration with access control, building management and notification systems amplifies its capability. Once an alarm is triggered, Athena can provide a lock down if the client chooses to ‘plug in’. It can stop all elevators (unless manual over ride key is inserted), lock all classroom doors from outside access, turn on lights, close all parking gates, and send text messages to third parties selected by the client.

Charitable works

The system doesn’t come cheap. Approximate installation cost is USD $15,000 per mosque, which includes: Athena Enterprise AI Server with 12 months License – USD 12,000.00 (for a 10-camera setup), plus installation, commissioning and Logistics costs – USD 3,000.00.

With only 20 or so mosques set to be gifted the technology internationally, most congregations will be left to continue making their own less high-tech arrangements.

The likely withdrawal of armed police protection at New Zealand’s mosques following the month of Ramadan, will see administrators opting in the main for more thrifty measures, which may include placing members of the community on reception and observation duty during prayer times, completing minor works such as installing additional exits, and using fundraising activities to procure security solutions.

In the UK, a government Places of Worship Security Fund has been set at £1.6 million for 2019/20, with a further £5 million fund opened to provide security training. Home Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed the new “Ramadan package” during a statement to MPs in early May.

“We know that Muslims are anxious for their safety after the atrocity in Christchurch, and that tensions are heightened during religious festivals,” said Mr Javid. “So we are supporting Faith Associates to provide security training and advice for the Islamic holy month.”

“Support is being given in 12 workshops around England and Wales, and guidance is being distributed to over 2,000 mosques, community centres, and madrasa.”

Similar workshops have reportedly taken place locally, including a recent event hosted by Auckland Council (see article "Post-mosque attacks – a new security climate" also in this issue of NZSM).

Internationally, the Christchurch mosque attacks – and a spate of recent attacks in the US and elsewhere – have caused both Muslim and non-Muslim places of worship to reflect on their physical security. Such considerations should be based on advice from licensed security professionals, and should look more broadly than specific systems and solutions.