BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. — An AI detection system that Kenwood High School uses mistook a student's bag of chips for a gun.
It was an ordinary day for 16-year-old Kenwood High School student Taki Allen.
After football practice, he sat outside the school with his friends waiting to be picked up.
Taki Allen speaks out following an AI mishap at school
He ate a bag of Doritos and crumpled it up in his pocket when he was done.
But he had no idea that action would lead to guns in his face 20 minutes later.
RELATED: Student searched by police after AI system mistakenly said he had a gun
"Police showed up, like eight cop cars, and then they all came out with guns pointed at me talking about getting on the ground. I was putting my hands up like, 'what's going on?' He told me to get on my knees and arrested me and put me in cuffs," Allen said.
Officers searched him and then found the empty bag by the door.
He said an officer then showed him a picture from the AI detection system the school uses saying the crumpled-up chip bag looked like a firearm.
Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers told reporters that the system worked how it was meant to.
"The program is based on human verification and in this case the program did what it was supposed to do which was to signal an alert and for humans to take a look to find out if there was cause for concern in that moment," Rogers said.
But Allen is skeptical.
"I don't think no chip bag should be mistaken for a gun at all," he said.
The school's principal Kate Smith sent a letter to parents saying in part, "Please know that ensuring the safety of our students and school community is one of our highest priorities."
But Allen said Smith didn't come to speak to him until three days after the incident happened.
"I was expecting them to at least come up to me after the situation or the day after, but three days later that just shows like, do you really care or are you just doing it because the superintendent called me," Allen said.
He told WMAR-2 News that the principal asked him how he was and to come to her if he needed anything.
Now, he feels on edge at a place where he's supposed to feel safe.
"Now, I feel like sometimes after practice I don't go outside anymore. Cause if I go outside, I don't want - don't think I'm safe enough to go outside, especially eating a bag of chips or drinking something. I just stay inside until my ride comes," said Allen.
He thinks the school should invest in more accurate technology so this doesn't happen again.
Superintendent Rogers told us she'll review the notification process and consider changes.
The letter sent out to parents can be read below:
Dear Kenwood High School Parents and Caregivers—
I am writing to provide information on an incident that occurred last night on school property. At approximately 7 p.m., school administration received an alert that an individual on school grounds may have been in possession of a weapon. The Department of School Safety and Security quickly reviewed and canceled the initial alert after confirming there was no weapon. I contacted our school resource officer (SRO) and reported the matter to him, and he contacted the local precinct for additional support. Police officers responded to the school, searched the individual and quickly confirmed that they were not in possession of any weapons. We understand how upsetting this was for the individual that was searched as well as the other students who witnessed the incident. Our counselors will provide direct support to the students who were involved in this incident and are also available to speak with any student who may need support.
Please know that ensuring the safety of our students and school community is one of our highest priorities. We work closely with Baltimore County police to ensure that we can promptly respond to any potential safety concerns, and it is essential that we all work together to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all Kenwood High School students and staff.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Kate Smith
Principal
