NEWSOM ANNOUNCES INSTALLATION OF SHOTSPOTTER GUNFIRE DETECTION TECHNOLOGY
California Political Desk
March 10, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Demonstrating his commitment to bring the best in crime-fighting techniques to those communities most affected by violence, Mayor Gavin Newsom announced the installation of the Shotspotter Gunshot Location System that will alert public safety officials to the location of gunfire within seconds, and provide instant information that
reduces risk in law enforcement and increases weapons-related arrests.
"Our Public Health Department estimates that last year´s gun violence will cost our city over $53 million in direct health care costs alone," said Mayor Newsom. "This community cannot and will not continue to bear the outrageous human and fiscal costs of gun violence."
The City´s Shotspotter gunshot location system will cover a 2.3 mile radius. This includes 1 square mile in Western Addition, and 1.3 square miles in Bayview. Today´s demonstration tested similar sensors installed in 1.3 square mile area in the Bayview. Installation of the sensors in the Western Addition will occur in April.
"There is absolutely no substitute for good police work" said Assistant Police Chief James Lynch. "What Shotspotter can do is help police respond to gunfire situations more efficiently. By being able to respond to the actual source of the shootings, police will be better able to mitigate the situation through arrest and seizure of the firearms."
When a weapon is discharged, a loud, impulsive sound detectable above background noise up to two miles away radiates rapidly from the weapon location. The electronic sensors read sound waves and use Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites to alert authorities to the gunfire
within 15 seconds of the incident. The position is displayed on a map at a 911 dispatch center, and the dispatcher can view and listen to a few second of the audio. The program tells police when the shot was fired, the number of shots fired, the location and even how many guns were used or the type of gun. The sensors detect sound within a mile radius and are able to differentiate between gunfire, fireworks, cars backfiring and other noises.
Shotspotter Gunshot Location Systems have resulted in decreases in gunfire ranging from 60% to 90% in areas where the systems have been deployed. The system consistently detects 50- 80% more incidents of gunfire than are reported by the public. Shotspotter has been deployed in Los Angeles, CA; Glendale, AZ; Rochester, NY; Minneapolis, MN; Oakland, CA; Birmingham, AL; Gary, IN and Washington, DC.
reduces risk in law enforcement and increases weapons-related arrests.
"Our Public Health Department estimates that last year´s gun violence will cost our city over $53 million in direct health care costs alone," said Mayor Newsom. "This community cannot and will not continue to bear the outrageous human and fiscal costs of gun violence."
The City´s Shotspotter gunshot location system will cover a 2.3 mile radius. This includes 1 square mile in Western Addition, and 1.3 square miles in Bayview. Today´s demonstration tested similar sensors installed in 1.3 square mile area in the Bayview. Installation of the sensors in the Western Addition will occur in April.
"There is absolutely no substitute for good police work" said Assistant Police Chief James Lynch. "What Shotspotter can do is help police respond to gunfire situations more efficiently. By being able to respond to the actual source of the shootings, police will be better able to mitigate the situation through arrest and seizure of the firearms."
When a weapon is discharged, a loud, impulsive sound detectable above background noise up to two miles away radiates rapidly from the weapon location. The electronic sensors read sound waves and use Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites to alert authorities to the gunfire
within 15 seconds of the incident. The position is displayed on a map at a 911 dispatch center, and the dispatcher can view and listen to a few second of the audio. The program tells police when the shot was fired, the number of shots fired, the location and even how many guns were used or the type of gun. The sensors detect sound within a mile radius and are able to differentiate between gunfire, fireworks, cars backfiring and other noises.
Shotspotter Gunshot Location Systems have resulted in decreases in gunfire ranging from 60% to 90% in areas where the systems have been deployed. The system consistently detects 50- 80% more incidents of gunfire than are reported by the public. Shotspotter has been deployed in Los Angeles, CA; Glendale, AZ; Rochester, NY; Minneapolis, MN; Oakland, CA; Birmingham, AL; Gary, IN and Washington, DC.
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