WPD implements system to pinpoint gunfire locations | News

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – The Wilmington Police Department and SST Inc., a company known for gunshot detection and location technology, announced Tuesday that the WPD has implemented a system called ShotSpotter Flex℠ to help with safety and gun violence, according to a statement from SST.

ShotSpotter℠ is an acoustic detection system that is used to identify the location of gunfire. The system allows police to respond faster to incidents involving gunfire, as well as to gather more gunfire information and forensic evidence.

At Tuesday night's Wilmington City Council meeting, Police Chief Evangelous said that the WPD is currently in a testing phase of the system, and that he believes it is working well.

"We are committed to maintaining the safe environment and quality of life of this city by sending the message to the Wilmington community that gun violence will not be tolerated," said Chief Evangelous in a statement. "The ShotSpotter Flex solution provides us instant and accurate gunfire detections and locations so we can arrive on the scene within minutes, gather evidence quickly, and use the gunfire incident data to increase arrests and prosecutions. Our efforts to reduce gun violence and illegal gun use in Wilmington will be strengthened through our use of ShotSpotter."

The system currently covers the areas from River Road to 17th Street and from Greenfield Lake to the north end of downtown.

According to WPD officials, since the system has been implemented in Wilmington, police have made 11 arrests in connection with discharging firearms.

Officials acquired ShotSpotter℠ through a federal grant program. Originally, the coverage area for the system was only one and a half miles, but it was subsequently changed to three square miles.

The current grant for the system expires in September of 2013.

After that time, the cost to renew the system will be about $120,000, without installation costs.

Expanding ShotSpotter℠ to the North 30th Street and Princess Place area will cost about $50,000. Officials say that some of this cost could be paid for through grant funding.

The expansion area would be covered under a new agreement that typically lasts two years.

For that area, the renewal fee will be $40,000.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.