Mangano & Mulvey Announce: ShotSpotter System Live in First Precinct Cars
Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey held a press conference and live demonstration this morning in Uniondale to announce and demonstrate that the ShotSpotter System is now live in NCPD patrol cars. NCPD officers on patrol in the ShotSpotter area will receive immediate recognition of gunfire in their patrol vehicle that will pinpoint the origin of the individual firing the weapon.
Previously, ShotSpotter terminals were located only in the Communications Bureau and officers were notified by dispatchers of gunfire and given the location. Now patrol officers will also be receiving notifications of shots fired in their patrol vehicles with specific locations and details at the same time as the NCPD Communications Bureau, which saves precious time.
ShotSpotter went live in the Uniondale/Roosevelt area on July 23, 2009 and is the world leader in gunshot location systems for public safety, homeland security and the military. The system was paid for with asset forfeiture funds and accurately detects, pinpoints and alerts our police responders to the locations of gunfire and other explosive events. In other cities where it is deployed, the information provided by the ShotSpotter GLS has been credited with reducing gunfire rates by nearly 60 to 80 percent and violent crime by up to 40 percent.
“This upgrade to the current ShotSpotter system improves an already efficient system,” said County Executive Mangano. “Every second is important when responding to a shots fired call. It could mean getting medical assistance to victims quicker, being able to apprehend suspects who are fleeing the scene and being able to identify witnesses before they disperse.”
“Though it is still too early to calculate the exact reduction in gunfire,” said Commissioner Muvey. “We have seen a dramatic difference in the areas covered by the ShotSpotter system. We have heard from many of the people we have interviewed in the Roosevelt and Uniondale area that they are aware of the ShotSpotter system and that it has deterred them and others from firing their weapons. In addition, we have had arrests as a result of the ShotSpotter system recoveries of weapons and have had some instances where we were able to get medical attention to victims before a 911 call had even been received by the NCPD Communications Bureau.”
How ShotSpotter works: The ShotSpotter system sensors are calibrated to listen for the unique acoustic fingerprint of gunfire. When gunfire events occur, sensors triangulate and locate the gunshot’s point of origin to within 25 meters (82ft.). The system records the number of shots fired, whether the shooter was stationary or moving, and provides essential audio playback of each gunshot event. This information provides situational awareness for our law enforcement officers prior to arriving at the crime scene and invaluable evidence for post crime analysis. Additionally, we know the nearest street address and whether the gunshot came from the front or side of a building. Tactically, this is significant as it 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.