Gun Shot Detection Devices
Ballistic Recognition Marvels or Smoking Mirrors?
Gun shot acoustic detection devices are not exactly new technology. Like many other technological advances, gun shot detection was first used by the military to detect shots fired upon them during patrol, convoys etc.
This technology has now moved from the battlefield to the streets to assist officers on patrol, and provide post-incident investigative support. Utilizing Geo coordinates, gun shot(s) can be detected within an identified radius and provide specific location, several models now include altitude and caliber information.
These devices can be both fixed and mobile and have become more accurate and affordable over the past few years which has now got many law enforcement agencies interested, in fact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Secret Service have requested information to support the installation of a gunshot detection system in Washington D.C.
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What are other departments saying?
LA County Sheriffs Dept is already using CCTV Video Monitoring technology and have now added the Gun Shot detection system as a tool to their arsenal. In fact as a result of the advances in technology for law enforcement, they created the Advanced Surveillance and Protection Unit (ASAP)which integrates emerging technologies which include: (64) Mobile License Plate Readers (LPR), (11) Fixed Pole Mounted (LPR) (2) Gunshot Detection Systems, (96) Surveillance Cameras.
As a law enforcement professional for almost 17 years, I have several questions of my own which must be further researched before I buy into the idea of this technology which include:
#1 — Does it have the ability to identify and forecast the “danger zone” before the 911 call. This would allow officers to tactically approach a potential hostile environment accurately with little call-taker error
#2- Does it have the ability to decipher false gunshot reads, for example fireworks and car back fires. Many officers rush into a “shots fired” call, only to find out it was only fireworks. By using this technology, officers can “slow it down” and therefore prevent auto accidents/injuries.
After researching shot various detection hardware, it appears that some systems are already compatible with License Plate Reader (LPR) existing software. (This could be a cost-saving tool for a start up program).
Privacy concerns will also need to be address prior to implementation, due to the fact that gun shot acoustic systems can also record conversations, which raises questions about the limits of police surveillance.
Gun shot detection devices are a cutting edge tool that has many benefits as discussed, it is important to understand everything about them first before going “ALL-IN”.
Although this technology appears to be an essential tool to add to the “virtual tool-shed” there have been some failures as,“Trenton, NJ City Council overwhelmingly rejected a $300,000 expansion of a controversial gunshot detection system at its meeting. The vote came after South Ward Councilman George Muschal, a former Trenton police officer, criticized the system’s failure to detect a Christmas Day shooting that left a man lying dead on a Phillips Avenue sidewalk for several hours before his body was discovered”.
Some of the possible drawbacks with utilizing new technology inserted into an urban environment from the military, such as gun shot detection devices previously employed by the Trenton Police Department, is that is must be corrected and geographically modified for civilian use to employ the most effective and efficient public safety tool to its stakeholders-the public.
This is not fool-proof technology, however I believe this technology when integrated with video and LPR devices provides more pros than cons. However, before implementing this tool, technological hurdles must be addressed to include the ability to integrate multiple systems, which must now include a policy to address civil liberties and privacy concerns due to its acoustical recording capability.
