Oct 27, 2009 7:21 pm US/Eastern
Local City Turns To High-Tech Sound To Fight Guns
'Shot Spotter' System Accurately Detects Where Gunfire Comes From, Then Lets Computer Analyze Acoustics
MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. (CBS) ―
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Mount Vernon, New York's eighth-largest city, has puts its faith in "Shot Spotter" sound technology in its war on gun violence.
CBS
It's a multi-million dollar effort to attack gun violence in Mount Vernon. On Tuesday, the city showed off its new technology that alerts police to gunfire.
Surveillance cameras already keep an eye on the streets of Mount Vernon. Now, an electronic ear is listening, too. It's listening for the gunfire that all too often disrupts life in New York's eighth-largest city.
"So many people getting killed in Mount Vernon and other places and I think that will help a whole lot," said Mount Vernon resident Lakisha Ellis.
The system is called "Shot Spotter." A series of detectors have been installed in the city, constantly listening for gunshots. Police fire a couple of blank rounds on Tuesday to show how it works. As various sensors detect gunfire, a computer analyzes the acoustics.
"It can pinpoint an exact location of where the shot is fired and responding units can use it to again save lives," said Mount Vernon Police Commissioner David Chong.
Chong said just six days ago, there was gunfire near the Bronx border, and as often happens, no one called 9-1-1 to report it.
"In this society today, you have to do your civic duty and I think that's such a shortcoming here in the neighborhood," said resident Gerald Byrd.
But the detection system heard the gunfire and alerted police.
The "Shot Spotter" system pinpointed the rear of an apartment complex on South 10th Avenue. Police came to the scene and found the shell casing within seven feet of the spot indicated on the map.
The evidence helped police arrest a man for possessing an illegal gun.
It was the first of what cops hope will be many successes as an electronic ear joins the surveillance of city streets.
Police said the "Shot Spotter" computer can differentiate between gunfire and other loud noises, such as firecrackers.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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