The Impact of Gun Violence in Your Community
Gun violence negatively impacts many communities. In some areas it is pervasive and others less common, but the cost to our society goes far beyond the homicides and wounded victims and their families. Gunfire-related crimes have a major economic impact. According to a 2016 study by the Urban Institute, when gunfire happens in a community, property values decline and business owners move out, creating a vicious cycle of low economic growth, fewer employment opportunities, and more gun violence. Investing in a gun violence reduction program saves lives, improves quality of life, and yields a positive economic return on investment.
Partner with ShotSpotter to Reduce Gun Violence
According to ShotSpotter’s National Gunfire Trends report, gunfire incidents increased by 48 percent from 2019 to 2020 and remain high in 2021. The Major Cities Chiefs Association reported in a survey of 66 of its member cities that homicides increased by one-third from 2019 to 2020. Mayors across more than 100 cities are leveraging ShotSpotter technology to reduce gun violence.Watch the on-demand webinar to learn more.
Watch NowHow ShotSpotter's Data for Good Initiative Supports Public Health
We understand that upholding community safety is a top priority for city leaders across the country. With ShotSpotter’s Data for Good initiative, we partner closely with mayors and critical institutions in communities across the country and provide data on where shootings occur, so they can focus on areas and individuals that are most in need.
I know that 80% of my [city’s] ShotSpotter alerts don’t have a corresponding 911. So for me, it’s in reality a lot less about police response than it is basic lifesaving support…Sometimes no one has been shot but we know someone will be if we don’t get there in a quicker and quicker fashion.
Mayor Brandon M. Scott, City of Baltimore AAMA Panel, April 2022
Gain Support from Community Residents by Improving Public Safety
Elected officials are expected to take a leadership role on safety-related issues that impact their community. Those who have been supportive in developing strategies to reduce gun violence such as gunshot detection and intervention programs as part of a public safety program have received positive social, political, media and economic support and seen success in their mission of making neighborhoods safer.
Mayors discuss how ShotSpotter helps make their communities safer
We’ve seen ShotSpotter save lives in our communities, and for those communities throughout America that have to deal with urban violence, it is really an important tool for your police department to have. It saves lives. It also helps to solve crimes.
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