* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Stokes
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Informational Hearing - ShotSpotter Program
For the purpose of requesting an informational hearing with the Baltimore Police Department and the Department of Finance regarding the ShotSpotter Program.
body
Recitals
In 2017, the Baltimore Police Department received a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies for $5 million to implement a gunshot detection system called ShotSpotter. ShotSpotter alerts law enforcement to gunfire in a certain area through audio sensors installed 30 to 40 feet above ground that record the sound, time, and location of sudden noises. In June of 2018, the Baltimore Police Department began using the system of audio sensors, joining more than 90 cities in the U.S. that also use the system.
After the audio sensors pick up the sounds, the Incident Review Center analyzes the sounds, and, if they are gunshots, quickly sends an alert to law enforcement users, who respond to the scene. BPD adopted the program to reduce the response time to shootings - many shootings are not reported via 911, and the ShotSpotter system can inform law enforcement of shootings that might not otherwise be reported. It is important that the City Council now review the results of the SpotShotter program to see if the program has been cost-effective and successful and, if not, what adjustments to the program should be made.
Now, therefo...
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