Nassau County Legislator Denise Ford announced that she has secured $500,000 to bring ShotSpotter to the Long Beach Police Department. ShotSpotter utilizes sophisticated technology to pinpoint the exact location of gunfire and immediately alert law enforcement to incidents of gunfire in real time.
“There have been many shootings recently in Long Beach’s North Park area, and I’ve seen the success that the Nassau County Police Department has had using ShotSpotter to identify the exact location of gunfire and the perpetrator using the gun,” said Legislator Ford. “I am thrilled to be a part of bringing this program to our city because it will help us to reduce, and even prevent, gun violence in our community.”
ShotSpotter helps local law enforcement by directing police to the precise location of illegal gunfire incidents enabling first responders to aid victims, collect evidence and quickly apprehend armed, dangerous offenders. The ShotSpotter technology is a series of audio sensors deployed high up on top of light posts and buildings. When a gunshot goes off the sensors triangulate the sound and pinpoints the number of shots fired and the location. ShotSpotter trained acoustic experts review and qualify all gunfire incidents and alert law enforcement immediately, all within a minute of the gunshot occurring.
“The NCPD has enjoyed great success with ShotSpotter. Since introducing the system in 2010 we have reduced gunfire by almost 80 percent in the Roosevelt/Uniondale area,” stated Nassau County Acting Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter.
Legislator Ford also thanked Presiding Officer Norma L. Gonsalves for her part in helping to secure the funding through the Legislature’s CRP (Community Revitalization Projects) Program. The funding will fund the ShotSpotter program for 5 years.
“The ShotSpotter System helps our officers respond faster and gives them a specific area to search for potential evidence, question witnesses, and in the event a victim is found, ensure that medical attention is timely. Most importantly, this system improves both the safety of the community at large and of our responding officers,” said Presiding Officer Gonsalves.
The ShotSpotter detection system will cover nearly the entire geographical area of the City of Long Beach. Thus, the Long Beach Police Department will have the enhanced ability to trace/track gunfire throughout the entire city.
“Our research indicates that more than 75 percent of shots picked up by ShotSpotter are never called in to 9-1-1 by community members,” said Ralph A. Clark, President and CEO of SST/ShotSpotter. “ShotSpotter is one of the tools that police are using to help fight crime in their neighborhoods. ShotSpotter has enabled police to engage more with the community, build trust, and curb illegal urban gunfire.”