An effort is underway to bring anti-shooter drone technology to two Houston-area high schools under the Spring Branch Independent School District (ISD).
The initiative, led by parent Estela Cockrell, seeks to raise funds for the installation of security drones at Memorial and Spring Woods high schools. The technology, developed by Austin-based company Campus Guardian Angel, is designed to respond to active shooter threats within seconds.
According to company co-founder and retired Navy SEAL Bill King, the system was modeled after tactical drones used in Ukraine. The drones integrate with school camera systems, map campuses digitally, and connect directly with law enforcement. When a threat is detected, the drones launch automatically from headquarters and can arrive at the scene within 15 seconds.
Each drone is equipped with tools such as glass breakers, strobe lights, sirens, pepper balls, and smoke bombs to disorient attackers until police intervene. Capable of traveling up to 70 miles per hour, the drones are intended to provide officers with real-time visuals of unfolding incidents.
Spring Branch ISD Police Chief Larry Baimbridge expressed support for the initiative, noting that Memorial and Spring Woods were selected because of their large and open campus layouts. Baimbridge, a former Houston Police Department SWAT officer, said the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting reinforced the need for faster response systems.
Cockrell has assembled a 12-member committee to raise $500,000 in startup funds. The estimated annual cost to operate the system is between $60,000 and $70,000 per school. She also plans to seek state support from Governor Greg Abbott to expand the program.
Boerne ISD in Texas will be the first district to deploy the Campus Guardian Angel technology as part of a pilot program. Three school districts in Florida have also committed to testing the system.
The Governor’s Office has not yet issued a response regarding potential state funding for the initiative.