Thanks! It's a bit old but you might like this post.
My opinion as of now is that because MPD has had ShotSpotter for years and it's embedded in their workflows that removing it would be detrimental. I don't think the technology is a silver bullet but I have seen it help vector police to shootings faster and/or when no one calls 911.
If we were deciding whether to newly invest in ShotSpotter I'd be more skeptical. But because it's now an embedded part of MPD operations I worry that the disruption would be worse than the (relatively small) savings we'd get from ending the contract.
I'd also say that having UAVs able to get to the site of reported shootings faster would likely make the underlying ShotSpotter technology more useful by being more likely to see fleeing suspects and/or give a heads up to inbound officers. But we have a number of logistics to work out before we can try that synergy.
Good question. I would expect that there is not robust analysis of the ShotSpotter program use, results, and deficiencies — but I hope to be wrong. At a minimum, its utility versus expense is important to know. Hope CrimeFacts will begin convo on this.
Thank you for lots of great information, again. Can I suggest a future topic? ShotSpotter. At least some agencies, including Chicago, have decided it is a boondoggle. See: https://stateline.org/2024/02/27/chicago-is-the-latest-city-rethinking-disputed-technology-that-listens-for-gunshots/ Perhaps the money is best spent on a different crime-fighting tactic?
Thanks! It's a bit old but you might like this post.
My opinion as of now is that because MPD has had ShotSpotter for years and it's embedded in their workflows that removing it would be detrimental. I don't think the technology is a silver bullet but I have seen it help vector police to shootings faster and/or when no one calls 911.
If we were deciding whether to newly invest in ShotSpotter I'd be more skeptical. But because it's now an embedded part of MPD operations I worry that the disruption would be worse than the (relatively small) savings we'd get from ending the contract.
I'd also say that having UAVs able to get to the site of reported shootings faster would likely make the underlying ShotSpotter technology more useful by being more likely to see fleeing suspects and/or give a heads up to inbound officers. But we have a number of logistics to work out before we can try that synergy.
https://dccrimefacts.substack.com/p/mpd-has-cool-tech-to-detect-gunshots
Good question. I would expect that there is not robust analysis of the ShotSpotter program use, results, and deficiencies — but I hope to be wrong. At a minimum, its utility versus expense is important to know. Hope CrimeFacts will begin convo on this.