"E.R.A.S.E." Crowdfunding Campaign Plans to Bring Lifesaving Active Shooter Technology to 50 Schools Across the U.S.

ROWLEY, Mass., Nov. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the ongoing epidemic of gun violence in our nation's schools, noted artist Greg Bokor, and Chris Connors, CEO of Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), today joined in partnership to create a crowdfunding campaign focused on establishing "Early Response to Active Shooter Events" ("E.R.A.S.E.") in our schools. This campaign is focused on raising money for the installation of lifesaving gunshot technology in 50 schools, one in each of the states across the U.S. The crowdfunding effort for "E.R.A.S.E." is scheduled to begin on November 9^th, 2015 on Indiegogo, the world's leading crowdsourcing site.

Frustrated by the lack of progress being made to make our schools safer from senseless tragedies, Bokor and Connors came together around a common cause – doing something about gun violence in schools. Together, they saw an opportunity to create "E.R.A.S.E.", where the two intend to demonstrate the role that technology plays in protecting our children from active shooting incidents.

Erasing Time
According to the FBI, an active shooter incident last 12.5 minutes, yet average emergency responses to active shootings take 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 to the widespread use of smoke alarm sensors in the 1950's, the goal of gunshot detection technologies such as SDS' industry-leading Guardian sensor is to 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.

Raising Hope
The goal of the "E.R.A.S.E." crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo is to raise the funds necessary to enable the installation of lifesaving Guardian systems in 50 schools, in each one of the 50 states in the U.S. The school district with the most contributions on a per student average basis in each state will be awarded the Guardian technology and will be announced at a gala event following the conclusion of the funding effort where Bokor will re-create his "ERASE" exhibit.

Funds raised over the initial goal will be used to deploy systems in additional schools under the same agreement. SDS has agreed to offer the units at cost (each full installation and training costs approximately $20,000).

Join the Cause
For more information on the crowdfunding campaign visit: www.funderase.com.

Those interested in joining the cause to make our schools safer can be kept up-to-date on the timing and progress of this effort by liking "E.R.A.S.E." on Facebook (www.facebook.com/erasegunviolence) and by following @FundErase on Twitter.

Meet the Parents
Greg Bokor gained national acclaim for his exhibit "ERASE" which was launched at the Art Prize Festival (Grand Rapids, MI) 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 (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. 

With more than $45 million in Research & Development (R&D) behind it, Guardian continues to perform in the field. Guardian frequently participates in active shooter training events with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and is installed in a number of schools and corporations across the U.S. With more than 5 million hours of installed systems, Guardian has not had a single "false alert" – meaning the system has never "gone off" in the absence of a live or trial shooter event.

Both men live in the Boston area and are fathers of school-aged children.

Supporting Quotes:
"The 'E.R.A.S.E.' campaign is just a beginning," said Bokor. "When we came together around this concept, we realized that we couldn't solve this problem alone and that we needed to find a way to involve other concerned parents and supporters who together make a difference. We hope that people will join us to create a spark that ignites a broader response to ending gun violence in our schools."

"School gun violence has become a national epidemic, yet there has been little real action taken toward mitigating this threat," said Chris Connors, CEO Shooter Detection Systems. "Together, we established 'E.R.A.S.E.' as a means for removing the politics and mobilizing people around a common mission of making our schools safer for our children. We truly believe that more needs to be done in this area, and we hope that people will support this effort as a first step toward achieving that goal."

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.

SOURCE Shooter Detection Systems