Athena Security, a physical security and threat detection company specializing in AI-powered weapons detection systems, announced they are working with MLK Community Healthcare, a non-profit healthcare system in South L.A., to improve security measures at their hospital. MLK Community Healthcare is utilizing Athena’s Apollo 500 Weapons Detection System, an Al-driven walk-through concealed weapon detection system designed for busy entrances, such as those at hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Lisa Falzone, Athena Security’s co-founder and president, said the device offers peace of mind to healthcare providers and patients alike at a time when violence in hospitals and other healthcare facilities is rising across the country.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe going to work every day. Likewise, patients and their loved ones should feel at ease when seeking care at their local healthcare facility,” Falzone said. “By leveraging our expertise in the security space and utilizing emerging technology like AI, we’ve created a weapons detection system platform that is potentially saving lives while creating less disruption in the day-to-day activities at healthcare facilities.”

The move comes ahead of a new AB 2975 California law requiring hospitals and certain other healthcare facilities to have automated weapon detection systems at key entrances.

“When it came time to comply with California’s AB 2975 workplace violence prevention requirements and implement a weapons detection solution, we conducted an extensive evaluation of the available systems. Athena’s Apollo 500 Healthcare Weapons Detection System stood out as the best overall value, combining effective weapons detection with the operational capabilities and healthcare-focused workflows our hospital needed,” said Trenton Jackson, Director of Public Safety and Support Services at MLK Community Healthcare. “Throughout the installation and testing process, Athena has been a responsive collaborator. They’ve worked with us every step of the way to ensure that the weapons detection platform technology works as it should and integrates smoothly into our hospital operations.”