Houston Middle School in Hobbs was briefly locked down by the Hobbs Police Department (HPD) on Thursday, April 28 because “someone reported seeing two males dressed in black and with ski masks enter the school with a firearm,” according to a previous article by the The Lea County Tribune.

A second lockdown took place at Heizer Middle School the next day, Friday, April 29.

The Hobbs Municipal School’s Facebook page states “Heizer Middle School was placed on lockout for a brief period of time on Friday afternoon [April 29] while Hobbs Police investigated a possible threat in the neighborhood. There was no disruption to class during the lockout – which has now been lifted.”

As of this writing specific information from the Hobbs Police Department (HPD) and/or the Hobbs Municipal School District (HMSD) has not been released about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Still, the incident is not being overlooked by area folks. Some like Denise Shenefelt speculate that a gun was involved in the Heizer lockdown. She comments on the HMSD Facebook page, “Houston yesterday, Heizer today! I hope these kids are safe.”

Melanie Breckel does not seem as concerned. She states in the same social media thread, “Remember lockout is an outside threat in the community or neighborhood – no one enters the school! Doors are all locked down! There is no threat in school!”

Other area residents like Aracely Nolasco expressed concern about the level of safety at Hobbs schools. Nolasco asks in Spanish in the same social media thread why schools don’t have gun detectors.

HMSD Proactive About Firearms

HMSD is taking a proactive approach to ensuring that firearms do not enter its schools, and district taxpayers are showing their support by providing the funding necessary to do so.

Last August, school district taxpayers approved levies that for the next six years will generate funds not only for general maintenance and technology but additionally for safety and security.

ZeroEyes Detection System

Part of the safety and security piece of the equation is the recent installation of the ZeroEyes detection system in Hobbs public schools. 

ZeroEyes technology uses artificial intelligence (AI) for “real time weapon detection and alerts”, states the company’s website. “AI weapon identification can help locate threats before they become violent. This provides first responders with the best information possible.”

HMSD Superintendent Gene Strickland explains how the ZeroEyes detection system is helping to keep Hobbs’ schools safe in a video posted on the school district’s Facebook page. “A school shooting is one of those things that no one ever wants to happen, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t prepare to prevent those,” states Strickland.

“Gunshot detection is big. Typically technology tells us when a gunshot goes off. It can give you the profile of that firearm or that weapon, and it can give you location based upon those devices that are listening.”

Although beneficial, such information is not enough for the Hobbs school district. Strickland states bluntly, “We have a problem already when that gunshot went off.” … “We want to be able to respond and react before the gunshot.”

Research shows that in the vast majority of cases the firearm is visible before an attack, and according to Strickland ZeroEyes works in the “gap” between when a firearm is detected and when it is shot. 

If the ZeroEyes artificial intelligence system “… catches the butt of a firearm, the hand grip of a firearm, it triggers an alert.” Via the Internet humans inside a far away control room “…staffed by former military, special forces individuals, recognize that alert.” In turn, an alarm is activated that goes to numerous individuals in leadership positions in the Hobbs school district. “Immediately we can activate – through our response – our access control and lock the building down,” states Strickland.

HMSD has deployed some 350 cameras throughout the district’s schools that are constantly monitored as a part of the ZeroEyes system. The goal is to prevent attacks before they happen, providing safety for all – students, staff, administrators, parents, stakeholders – everyone who sets foot in Hobbs’ public schools.