Gunshot Locator is a device or system that reveals the position of gunfire or any other weapon associated with fire. Moreover, the device uses several sensors which can include either optical or acoustic. The acoustic device listens to the sound of the fire as it passes through the air, whereas, the optical device is used to detect physically when the fire or gunshot is moving through the air. Additionally, the system contains different components which enable it to work efficiently. One such component is an array of microphones which are used to listen to the sound of the gunshot. The microphones can either be located in different places or a specific area of the target. Further, there is the processing unit which is used to process all the information received to make it easier for the users to understand 1 . Apart from that, gunshot locator contains maps as well as the addresses of different locations so as to make it quick and faster to confirm the right area of a gunshot.
Why it was created
On another hand, the system was created to detect gunshots after several crimes involving fire weapons were reported 2 . Moreover, different police departments across the US used to receive cases of homicides at a higher rate. Due to the increase in reported crimes and loss of many lives, security agencies had to seek ways of detecting the location where the gunshots sounds came from. However, even though different people and organizations had different ideas on how the position can be identified, not all security departments believed it could work.
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In 2017, at the New York City, the NYPD revealed a new gunshot system by the name shot spotter. According to Rozee, they tested the system in five areas of around three square miles in Bronx and Brooklyn where the device worked efficiently. The system uses 300 sensors that enable it to identify the number of shots and traveling direction of the shooter. Nonetheless, the system requires one or more sensing modalities to sense whether the weapon has been fired. The system has been helpful in detecting gunshots, allowing law enforcement agencies to respond to situations involving gunshots 3 .
Prove of whether the concept works
The concept has been shown to be effective as stated by Rozee. After testing the new system formed by NYPD, it was found that the system could detect 80% of gunshots. Moreover, Rozee explains that before the sensors could be operational, sensors which had been put before had captured the shots which had killed two of their detectives. Additionally, the mayor and commissioner of New York City in 2017, confirmed that overall crime had reduced by 10 percent within the first 28 days after the system was formed 4 . When the system came into effect, the number of shots reduced to 19 as compared to 30 shots before the system was implemented. In the equal measures, the crime rates also reduced by 20% while the number of arrests made increased by 18% in the year 2017 at New York City.
Who uses the system?
The system is meant to be used by security departments such as the police, law enforcement agencies and the military 5 . Similarly, Business people or organization can use it for purposes of safety to detect the type of fire weapon used in case of any attack. The police departments collaborate with shot spotter organization to see that the system is of help to the society. According to Barr et al., the city of Hartford is collaborating with the shot spotter, business people, and market leaders to advance the Gunshot location services to the city. Hence, the system has now been providing quick service to the city and security departments. This has attracted positive feedback from the citizens and different security agencies from using the system. The system has been helping the police to get additional evidence during their investigations 6 . Moreover, it has been providing real-time location of the place where the gunshots are taking place. Moreover, people residing in different cities are happy about it because the crime rates have reduced unlike before the introduction of the system. Also, the rate of people dying from the gunshot crimes has reduced. According to the mayor of New York City, the crime rate in the city have reduced by 20 percent with the introduction of the device. Thus, the safety and security of residents of the various cities have improved after the system was introduced.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the gunshot locator system has been of great help to the police in executing their daily activities and investigations. Moreover, before the system was introduced in various cities, it was hard for the police to locate the gunshots positions as well as monitor the movements of criminals. Many lives were being lost at that time, creating more tension to the residents. However, the introduction of gunshot locator has helped not only the police departments but also the various communities at large.
Bibliography
Adami, Chelcey. “Salinas’s cops get gunshot location system.” The Californian. Septemeber 1, 2016. Accessed April 22, 2017. http://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/my-safety/2016/09/01/salinas-police-receive-gunshot-location-system-funding-community-police-relations/89739312/.
Barr, Sarah; Lydia Barrette and Erin M. Lopez. “Hartford CT Boost public safety Response and Gun crime Intelligent with shot spotter Gunshot Detector.” Shot spotter (SST). 2017. Accessed April 22, 2017. http://www.shotspotter.com/news/article/hartford-ct-boosts-public-safety-response--gun-crime-intelligence-with-shot.
Beekman, Daniel. “Council set to tell SPD to study gunshot locator.” The Seattle Times. November 23, 2014. Accessed April 22, 2017. http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/council-set-to-tell-spd-to-study-gunshot-locator-technology/.
Maud, Rozee. “The NYPD now can pinpoint the exact location of a gunshot.” Gothamist. March 17, 2015. Accessed April 22, 2017. http://www.google.com/amp/amp.gothamist.com/amp/articles/create%3farti-cle-id=587531f895ed84001327d309.
