The $169,000 cost for one-year coverage of three square miles can be covered by a federal grant, the mayor said, and with council approval in June, the system could be in place by July.
A spate of shootings last year sparked interest in the ShotSpotter program, which locates gunshots and can even identify the type of weapon used. A July 28 demonstration of the system at a city ball field was followed by an Aug. 1 Town Hall meeting where East Orange Mayor Robert Bowser claimed a 75 percent reduction in crime after ShotSpotter sensors were installed. The proposal was pushed for approval a few days later at a Planning Board meeting, but then questions arose over the cost. Click here for a 2010 Plaintalker post on the issue.
Since then, there have been many more shootings, some fatal. On Monday, the mayor mentioned the shooting of a 15-year-old male over the weekend as she brought up the lease proposal.
"It's not a million dollars any more," she said.
The number of homicides has escalated as shootings have continued, as reported here by Courier News reporter Mark Spivey. The mayor has resumed holding community meetings to explore ways to curb violence.
The City Council will meet on June 14 for agenda-fixing and will hold the next regular meeting on June 20, at which time the ShotSpotter lease plan may be approved.
--Bernice
I still don't understand how this will stop the gang members from shooting each other and innocents. By the time the cops get there they will have gone. This is not prevention, but the mayor is trying to give us a false sense of security. I wonder how much her palm is being greased. I don't trust her and don't think she cares.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it seems like a good idea in the high crime area, what will prevent them from moving their antics to another part of town that isn't covered by cameras?
ReplyDeleteThis technology is nonsense. Any council member that votes to approve it is in on the kickbacks. You have property owners who will gladly call in any sound of gunshots for FREE. Just give us safety!
ReplyDeleteI think anyone with a bit of common sense will agree this is a gross waste of tax payers’ money. Has anyone considered that all the shootings we had lately could be a ploy by the owner of this company to try and scare us into purchasing such waste? We need to use that money on prevention, plain and simple. This may be stretching but anything is possible. I hope the council members do not in anyway entertain this idea, no matter what Sharon says the saving will be.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the comments made so far. We all have cell phones. (there are exceptions, of course)You carry that phone on your person. Most phones are programmed to dial 911. With this "new" technology someone has to monitor a screen or what ever device is used. Then that person or device has to transmit this information. By that time there could be several calls from citizens reporting shots fired in a particular area.
ReplyDeleteCitizens report loud music or loitering so you know they are not going to keep silent when they hear gunshots.
If this technology doesn't spot shots BEFORE they are shot, it is an utter waste of money. The Mayor and massage guy need to implement some good old foot patrol.
ReplyDeleteHope the council does not fall prey to this costly item. It does nothing other than report gunshots. Seems that is already done by people calling the gunshots in. I am sure the police could use the money for other things.
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