Before we determine effective ways to reduce gun violence in the United States today, it’s important to look back at our nation’s history. The History In 1918, Gen. John T. Thompson had a problem. He had invented a handheld machine gun that would give America a combat advantage in the...
The other technology panels included license plate readers, facial recognition, and geo-fencing for cell phone number capture. For the first portion of the ShotSpotter panel, former ATF Associate Deputy Director and ShotSpotter’s VP of Analytics & Forensic Services Tom Chittum provided an overview of ShotSpotter’s effectiveness, as well as its...
With that said, there are a number of problematic comparisons and omitted or “cherry-picked” information referenced throughout the Journal of Urban Health study titled “Impact of ShotSpotter Technology on Firearm Homicides and Arrests Among Large Metropolitan Counties: A Longitudinal Analysis” regarding ShotSpotter’s impact that we feel compelled to address. Evaluating...
An Editor’s Note has now been included in the VICE article that states: “Following the publication of this article, VICE received copies of court documents from the Michael Williams case, which show that ShotSpotter did not change the location of the gunfire by a mile, but had identified the same...
The past decade has focused particular attention on narcotics, including heroin, prescription opioids, and new synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime found that seizures of heroin in the U.S. rose from about 5,000 kilograms in 2012 to more than 7,000 in 2016. According...
Hidden amidst the millions of fireworks explosions across the country is the deadly sound of illegal celebratory gunfire, that combined with other types of gunfire, shatters lives and impacts communities. Fourth of July safety is a top priority, and we know that ShotSpotter alerts help police and first responders save...
Tragically, the surge in gun violence that began in 2020 during the pandemic continues unabated, shattering lives and impacting communities across the country. At ShotSpotter, we feel this crisis acutely. This is because we partner with more than 120 cities to help them address gun violence and help make communities...
While their employment makes them an obvious representative of government authority, enforcement, and power, police are also human beings. Over years of service, they are asked to not only enforce the law but make an endless number of judgment calls in volatile, pressure-filled situations by assessing risk and confronting trauma....
During the illuminating hour-long conversation, we covered a lot of ground, particularly around the critically important topic of stopping the cycle of youth gun violence. I left the conference thinking about several important takeaways that I’d like to unpack in this blog. When working to decrease violence and promote public...
This negative rhetoric has grown so loud it can be difficult for police to share success stories, as they are oftentimes unjustly criticized by anti-policing groups in board meetings and other key community gatherings. In a previous post, I talked about the challenges police face with managing the large amounts...