Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 has been selected for a national school safety initiative, bringing state-of-the-art security technology to its campus. The district is the only school in Illinois chosen for the Omnilert Secure Schools Grant Program, which awarded just 50 schools nationwide.
The grant provides a three-year license for Omnilert Gun Detect, an artificial intelligence system that integrates with existing security cameras to identify firearms in real time. When a potential weapon is detected, the system immediately alerts school officials and law enforcement, allowing for a rapid response.
Superintendent Dr. Shahe Bagdasarian said the district applied for the grant and is proud to have been selected.
“We applied for the Omnilert Secure Schools Grant Program, and we were the only school in Illinois to receive the grant,” Bagdasarian said. “Fifty schools throughout the country were awarded, and we’re honored to be one of them.”
The technology, Bagdasarian explained, is not a complete solution but a powerful tool in the district’s broader safety strategy.
“While technology isn’t the lone answer to improve campus safety, it is a measure used to be proactive and identify a possible threat in its early stages,” he said.
Implementation of Omnilert Gun Detect is already underway at Oak Lawn Community High School, 9400 Southwest Highway, Oak Lawn, with staff training and integration happening this school year.
Bagdasarian emphasized that the importance of this step reflects the reality schools face today.
“The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority,” he said. “In today’s world, having a system like this in place is critical. It allows us to respond faster, protect our students, and give our community peace of mind.”
District 229 leaders say the system will complement existing safety measures, which already include physical security upgrades, emergency preparedness efforts, and expanded mental health resources for students.