Over the past five years, the United States has undergone a profound shift in its expectations of police. Following the murder of George Floyd, citizens—especially in communities of color—and their leaders banded together to demand accountability from law enforcement. Significant changes have resulted, including the widespread adoption of police-worn body cameras, revised standard operating procedures, an emphasis on de-escalation tactics, and a renewed focus on community-engagement. As Black men who are aware of the racial inequities that were pervasive in policing for far too long, we are heartened by this progress.
This is the reason that Acoustic Gunshot Detection Systems (AGDS)—such as SoundThinking’s ShotSpotter system—are so critical in helping police address the most dangerous criminals, while respecting civil rights.
ShotSpotter uses acoustic sensors to “listen” for sounds that match those of gunshots. When such a sound is “heard,” highly trained reviewers determine if the sound was in fact gunfire. If it is, an alert is immediately sent to the police so they can investigate. If it isn’t, business continues as usual.
Why is this important? Tragically, far too many die from gunshot wounds, lying alone in the streets of Los Angeles and other cities throughout the U.S after being shot. The unfortunate fact is that young Black men make up over 90% of firearm-related homicides. Their lives matter.
So, how can we address this disparity? In areas suffering from persistent gun violence, there is strong evidence that AGDS have a significant impact on addressing the problem. The alerts provided by these systems help police and EMS respond to the scene of gunfire quickly, locate gunshot wound victims, and render lifesaving emergency aid. This faster response time is immensely important because time matters when treating gunshot wounds. We personally know people whose lives were saved because of the prompt arrival of first responders following a ShotSpotter alert.
This is why ShotSpotter remains so popular in communities of color. For far too long, these are neighborhoods have borne the brunt of gun violence. Contrary to what some may claim, ShotSpotter enjoys its strongest support amongst residents of these neighborhoods, precisely because they have been able to observe the positive impact that ShotSpotter has on fast, unbiased response to gunfire. Independent studies have repeatedly proven that ShotSpotter reduces police response times, assists law enforcement in collecting evidence, aids in the apprehension, arrest, and prosecution of perpetrators, and helps ensure that gunshot wound victims receive prompt medical attention. Quite literally, ShotSpotter has—and continues to—save lives in communities where it is deployed.
As criminals have become more sophisticated, cities have been forced to adopt innovative tactics to keep the public safe. Like the solution to many problems, officials are turning to technology to maintain an advantage. While technological platforms show tremendous potential, it is imperative that—in the same way justness and equity have been incorporated into traditional policing methods—these values be reflected in law enforcement technology, as well.
To that end, we urge community leaders to welcome the opportunity to incorporate effective and proven technologies into law enforcement’s crime-reduction strategies.
AGDS—of which ShotSpotter is the leading platform—is one of these technologies, and it operates in a fair and non-discriminatory manner. It is one tool, used alongside others, that forms a holistic public safety strategy. All communities deserve to live free from the fear of gun violence. ShotSpotter was created to help law enforcement achieve this goal. We will continue to proudly stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners until that dream becomes reality.
Marc Morial is the President and CEO of the National Urban League, the former Mayor of New Orleans, and a member of SoundThinking’s Board of Directors.
Ralph Clark is the President and CEO of SoundThinking, Inc., the company that created ShotSpotter.
