Police departments in cities across the U.S. are implementing a new tool called ShotSpotter that can detect the sound signatures of gunshots and even the types of weapon fired. The technology is already being used in more than 90 installations across the U.S. and the world, including in New York City and Wilmington, N.C.
From the New York Post/Fox News:
There are three parts to this tech: detect, locate, and alert. When a gunshot goes off, the ShotSpotter instantly alerts police of the gun crime in progress.
Acoustic sensors are installed at about 30 feet or more above street level in places such as rooftops and utility poles.
For every square mile, there would be about 15 to 20 sensors. This sensor system works together to detect and triangulate weapon activity.
When there are very loud boom and bang noises like gunfire, it triggers the sensors to activate and record the gunfire.
Each sensor then captures the precise time, location, and the audio. An expert at the Incident Review Center receives the data to verify it is gunfire. From the firing of the weapon to relaying the verified data to law enforcement, this process takes less than 45 seconds.
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