ShotSpotter

(MLive illustration)



DETROIT, MI -- ShotSpotter is the name.

It's crime-fighting technology that uses strategically-placed microphones to detect gunfire, triangulate the origin accurately up to about 30 yards and alert police in real-time.

Detroit began with a trial run of the technology in late September. Apparently, they liked it.



The pilot ShotSpotter program system detected 24 possible shootings in the first seven days, The Associated Press reported.

"We're in the conversation about how we're going to expand," said Captain Rodney Cox of the 9th Precinct at Thursday's Detroit Police Commission meeting. "We're currently utilizing it right now."

He said the purpose is to "increase our response time anytime there are weapons used or weapons fired in a certain area."

He wouldn't say exactly where the system monitors activity or how large of an area.

Cox said the Precinct initially designated cars solely to ShotSpotter calls, but that duty has shifted to Special Operations.

"We've had occasions where spent casings were located and collected and placed in evidence," he said, "and we've had ... two occasions that I know of specifically where arrests were made.

"As far as the success goes, we're looking for more than we've had so far."

Cox didn't elaborate on what officers plan to do in order to increase ShotSpotter's effectiveness.

According to the Newark, Calif.-based company that created ShotSpotter, its systems exist in 80 U.S. cities and cover nearly 300 square miles.

About 15 to 20 devices are typically placed within each square mile and bounce information off each other to pinpoint a shooter's location.

Saginaw became the first Michigan city to contract with ShotSpotter in 2010. Flint has discussed its implementation off and on since 2011, but remains without it.

Detroit City Council rejected a $2.6 million proposal in 2011 from then-Chief Ralph Godbee Jr. to institute ShotSpotter, Councilman Ken Cockrel Jr. at the time calling it "useless if you don't have the manpower available to be deployed immediately and respond to it."

Under emergency management when it was instituted, Police Chief James Craig had the luxury of getting the system to its current state without needing City Council or Detroit Police Commission approval.

According to Cox, the system hasn't cost taxpayers anything, yet. He said if there is a decision to go ahead with expansion, that's when cost will need to be discussed.

A recent "This American Life" radio episode examined the use of ShotSpotter by the Milwaukee Police Department.

Similar to Detroit police findings up until now, Milwaukee police didn't find the system incredibly valuable for actually making arrests, but said it was invaluable as a tool for public relationship and confidence building.

When reports of gunfire reached patrols, they responded swiftly and started conversations with neighbors to find out what they knew. They were visible and interacting with residents in the neighborhoods.

Cox said Detroit is taking a similar approach.

"They exit the scout car, go house to house, knock on the doors, find out if anyone heard anything, anyone saw anything," Cox said. "I can tell you that is part of the process."

Detroit Police Commission Chairman Willie Bell indicated he wished the Commission had been notified of the system's implementation at its initiation, rather than finding out about it on accident months later.