ShotSpotter: Wilmington gunshots decrease 42 percent

Technology that detects the sound of gunshots in Wilmington reported fewer gunshots in the last six months than the six months previous, city officials said.

The ShotSpotter technology, which covers approximately 3 square miles of the city including West Center City, downtown, Hilltop and Eastside, detected and alerted Wilmington police to 366 incidents in that area since it went live on June 30, 2014, according to information from Mayor Dennis P. Williams' office.

In the first six months – from June 30, 2014 through December 31— there were 231 reported incidents through ShotSpotter in that area. In the next six months – from Jan.1 through June 26 – there were 135 incidents reported by the system.

"We continue to address violent crime through a multifaceted approach that includes engagement, partnerships with federal and state agencies, increased police presence and effective use of innovative technology like ShotSpotter," said Wilmington Police Chief Bobby Cummings, noting the 42 percent reduction in gunshots detected by the technology.

The city is leasing the ShotSpotter system from SST, a California company, for $415,000 over three years. The system uses sensors to detect the sound of gunshots and then alert dispatchers and patrol cars to the area.

Starting in late January, city police launched Operation Disrupt, which flooded the streets five nights a week with more patrol officers than normal, specifically in hot spot areas. The operation ended on June 5.

While Operation Disrupt officers were patrolling, there were fewer violent incidents and no homicides, Cummings said previously.

Williams said this report is an indication that the department is continuing to address violent crime in the city.

"By utilizing ShotSpotter's innovative technology, the police are able to proactively address gun crime in targeted areas throughout the city," Williams said.

Cassandra Marshall, president of the Quaker Hill Neighborhood Association and a member of the state Wilmington Public Safety and Strategies Commission, said she is skeptical to cheer the successes of ShotSpotter based on the reduced number of shooting alerts.

"I think in general ShotSpotter is a really good idea, and what it is supposed to do is help police departments identify where a shooting is happening fairly quickly," Marshall said. "Theoretically, they should be able to mobilize quickly and find the people who are shooting and being shot faster."

"I'm not certain that ShotSpotter has a whole lot to do with shots-fired incidents being down because it is about finding people," Marshall said.

Marshall said in general the other residents she has spoken to are unsure if ShotSpotter even functions properly because like surveillance cameras, city officials have declined to say where in the 3-square-mile area the sensors are located.

Cummings said the technology, with other methods of policing, will allow officers to get to crime scenes more quickly and use more intelligence to apprehend violent offenders.

Contact Jenna Pizzi at jpizzi@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2837. Follow her on Twitter @JennaPizzi.