CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte City Council voted unanimously Monday night to bring the ShotSpotter technology to the Queen City, and police think it will improve public safety and give officers better information to help them solve crimes.
The ShotSpotter Gunfire Detection System uses sound acoustics to pinpoint where gunfire cames from and it comes with a $50,000 price tag for a one-year test period.
According to the manufacturer, SST/ShotSpotter:
When a gun is fired, the sound is captured on acoustic sensors placed on buildings and rooftops in specific coverage areas.
The system pinpoints the gunfire location, the number of shots fired, shooter position, speed, and the direction of travel.
It can help determine what type of gun was used, the caliber of the weapon and promote faster responses.
"They could just go straight there where they heard it,” said David Cobb, who lives in the Avalon neighborhood in the Derita Area.
Cobb says he’s heard 10 to 15 gunshots in the month he’s lived there.
Cobb says most come from the area around Thereasea Elder Park.
That’s the park where pregnant 17-year-old Hawa Gabbidon was murdered two weeks ago.
Pamela Claytor just moved to the Avalon neighborhood and would like to see it used there.
"I think it's a good investment anywhere in the city if you have that kind of technology,” Claytor said.
"I don't know if in a large city like ours it will work. We'll have some questions tonight. Generally though as a council anything police need for community safety, which is our job number one, we typically embrace,” said Charlotte City Council Member Andy Dulin before Monday night's meeting.
For now, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department isn't saying what part of town or neighborhood they'll use the ShotSpotter.
The money would come from CMPD’s forfeiture fund and the ShotSpotter technology won't be up and running until after the Democratic National Convention.
