I’ve been aware of ShotSpotter technology for years now, and will relay my thoughts below. Here are locally written articles which explain this issue very well:
http://woodtv.com/2015/04/24/gr-considering-paying-1-2m-for-gunshot-sensors/
http://woodtv.com/2015/03/24/recommended-gunshot-sensor-has-iffy-accuracy/
Following are my concerns regarding ShotSpotter:
- Cost of $1.2 million for four square miles. Grand Rapids comprises 45 square miles. Will this be the one government program in history that doesn’t expand over time, or will we someday be asked to foot the bill for city-wide coverage? Has the cost for a projected city-wide coverage been published?
- I was unable to find statistics for how many gunshots per year are reported in Grand Rapids. I would like to know this number, then determine how much per gunshot having such a system would cost.
- If this system goes into effect, it will be well-known to anyone considering firing a gun within the system’s effective limits. Knowing this, would a person firing a gun understand he would have to act more quickly to relocate, therefore rendering the system ineffective from just this standpoint? I’ve read similar analysis in other articles.
- The statistics from the WOODTV articles indicate accuracy as low as 7%. Would the supposed benefit be diminished by eventual slow reaction times to a system producing so many false alarms? Would the false alarms eventually require increased staffing to keep up with the demand?
- Other than the cost, per shot benefit, possible behavior modification, and false alarms, one of my main concerns is the privacy issue. These microphones are capable of recording voices, according to http://animalnewyork.com/2015/be-careful-what-you-say-nypds-shotspotter-may-be-listening/, again from the WOODTV article. I see this as yet another way to perform a warrantless search, which is prohibited by the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution.
As mayor, I would be against the implementation of ShotSpotter.
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