City Council approves ShotSpotter

Residents demand answers following shootings

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Two weeks after two shootings in the North Park area and with residents on edge, the City Council approved a resolution on Tuesday that allows the Police Department to implement a “real-time” gunshot-recognition software system in the hope of staving off more gun violence.

After several people who live near the scene of the most recent shootings grew emotional at the meeting, and a number of residents demanded to know what is being done to curb the violence, the council voted unanimously to enter into a contract with the California-based ShotSpotter Flex Gunfire Alert and Analysis System, funded by $500,000 in Nassau County Community Revitalization Development funds secured by County Legislator Denise Ford (R-Long Beach) in July, at the city’s request. The money will fund the program for five years.

City Manager Jack Schnirman said that ShotSpotter identifies areas where gunshots have occurred, improves response times and acts as a deterrent to gun violence.

The software directs police to the precise location of gunfire, enabling first responders to aid victims, collect evidence and quickly apprehend armed, dangerous offenders. The system uses detectors and cameras mounted on poles throughout the city to record the number of shots fired, determine whether shooters are stationary or moving and record audio of the shots as well.

Police Commissioner Mike Tangney said that the software transmits data to an audiologist, who analyzes the gunfire, and officers can be dispatched within 20 seconds. The system is expected to be fully operational by Nov. 23.

“We’re very excited about getting the ShotSpotter program,” Tangney said. “From the time that a person hears a gunshot and decides to call the police, at that time we’d already have a police officer dispatched — that’s how quickly it works. We have a great opportunity to intercept [suspects] before they are able to get away from the area.”

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