AI Security System Mistakenly Flags Bag of Doritos as a Firearm, Prompting Police Response

A bag of Doritos was mistaken for a firearm by an AI security system at a Maryland high school. The false alarm triggered a police response and a brief lockdown. The incident occurred at Kenwood High School in Essex last week.Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) confirmed the error. Officials said the AI-powered Omnilert system flagged the snack bag. This prompted an immediate review and subsequent protocol changes.

How a Snack Bag Triggered a Security Alert

The incident happened after hours on a Monday. The Omnilert system scanned a live camera feed. Its AI identified the orange Doritos bag as matching potential weapon characteristics.An automatic alert was triggered at 7:04 p.m. According to Baltimore County officials, trained safety staff reviewed the footage. They canceled the alert just two minutes later, confirming a false positive.The school’s principal, who received the alert for awareness, independently contacted the School Resource Officer. This led to a police dispatch. Officers arrived on scene and quickly resolved the misunderstanding.

Official Response and Planned Security Improvements

In a joint statement, BCPS and local leaders pledged to enhance training. They praised the quick review process but acknowledged the communication breakdown. The focus is now on preventing future errors.Councilman Julian E. Jones Jr. emphasized the need for vigilance. He confirmed plans for annual retraining on existing protocols. The goal is to ensure all staff follow proper procedures with the technology.BCPS is implementing several key changes. School administrators must now contact specific safety directors with concerns. Police will also reinforce after-hours procedures for all school resource officers.

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The “Doritos false alarm” highlights the growing pains of integrating AI into public safety, where even advanced systems require human oversight and continuous refinement to function effectively.

Thought you’d like to know

What is the Omnilert security system?

Omnilert is an AI-powered weapons detection system. It scans live video feeds for objects that match firearm characteristics. The system is installed across all Baltimore County public schools.

Was anyone arrested during the incident?

No arrests were made. Police confirmed there was no threat, weapon, or crime. The situation was resolved peacefully with no injuries.

How often do these AI false alarms occur?

BCPS did not provide specific false-positive rates. Officials noted the system has successfully identified real threats in the past, underscoring its overall value despite this error.

What changes are being made after this event?

BCPS will implement annual scenario-based training. They are also clarifying communication chains to prevent similar misunderstandings between school staff and police.

Is the Omnilert system still in use?

Yes. Baltimore County Public Schools remains committed to the technology. Officials view it as a critical layer in their multi-faceted security approach.