Guest Post on ShotSpotter from Norman E. Ortega

Plaintalker occasionally permits guest posts. Norman E. Ortega, city resident and chairman of the Plainfield Advisory Commission on Hispanic Affairs, has asked to post his thoughts on the proposed ShotSpotter system. His comments are his alone and do not necessarily reflect Plaintalker's views.

Shot Spotting technology. When I first heard the term, my first thought was- a new gadget and we get to test it in Plainfield. Then I read about the technology, the blogs, the price tag and its annual cost. Just the price tag alone scared the nerd out of me.

And I am not the only one concerned with this purchase. Some have reservations about the lack of information, costs, lack of planning, limited resources, efficacy of the system, purchasing, implementation and support and finally, looming police layoffs.

However, under the current of concerns and reservations, support for the system is palpable. Some are worried about lack of planning and limited resources, yet approved and support it. The Plainfield City Council gave it its first approval and is moving onto the second, others are worried about the price and costs and are researching alternatives, and others are offering expertise on how to buy this system effectively.

Are there any other meaningful alternatives to address crime in Plainfield?

As advertised, Shot Spotting technology seems like a silver bullet which will end the evil plaguing us- in a Hollywood movie that is. In reality, it is just another tool, like a fire arm, a car or a desk in a police station. Let’s be clear, a Shot Spotting system, like the objects mentioned above, is just a tool and does not address the root of the problem and does not prevent the problem. To address the root of the problem we are going to need more than a techie system. We are going to need good old fashioned police work and urban development.

So what is the root of the problem and how it can be addressed? The root of the problem is the culture of drugs, crime and violence that is confined to a section of town; mostly between Clinton and Second and Myrtle and 5th St.

How can this culture of drugs, crime and violence be addressed? One of the lapses of the Shot Spotter system is that it only addresses one part of the problem. When shots are fired, there is intervention. Could this have saved Isidro Leonardo and countless of other victims? We need more than that if we are to address a culture of drugs, crime and violence. We need a preventive plan to address it comprehensively and everyone needs to contribute in crafting a comprehensive approach.

A comprehensive approach must include a restructuring program for the areas where the culture of drugs, crime and violence persist. This means, assessing which are these areas and with inclusion of private developers, public safety, and housing department, determine whether redeveloping the public housing complexes in these areas would disperse and eliminate the culture of drugs, crime and violence lodged in them. This process should include a relocation program for those who qualify.

In addition to a housing restructuring plan and the programs public safety has implemented, I would suggest researching programs and ideas the have worked and have been duplicated in other municipalities. I would also suggest establishing a permanent police unit at the epicenter of the problem; police patrols on foot and bicycle; requiring garbage collectors to take a Neighborhood Crime Watch training program; and establishing a gun buying program in the affected areas. I am sure there are many more creative and innovative ideas out there.

A Shot Spotting system may seem logical in times of desperation. But beware, desperation is the nemesis of ideas and the precursor to useless and tragic decisions. In times of desperation, the best options are those proven to have worked. The suggestions above are proven to work, and can be paid with the funds already appropriated to them and federal grants.

--Norman E. Ortega