Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison is crediting gunshot detection technology for hundreds of arrests and said it’s integral in the city’s historic drop in homicides.
Bettison touted the benefits of the program during a March 23 budget briefing for the Detroit City Council, saying that last year ShotSpotter notifications led to 256 arrests. And – because residents are often hesitant to call 911 in the event of gunfire – the alert system potentially saved the lives of 114 shooting victims.
The technology, which has sparked controversy over its cost and effectiveness, is currently being used in over 23 square miles of the city. Bettison said once the alerts come in, Detroit officers don’t have to wait for a 911 call. They are notified of gunfire instantly and respond within two minutes, he said…