Laredo police are set to bolster their public safety efforts with the expansion of their gunshot detection technology. The City Council has approved funding for 16 new Flock "Raven" sensors, designed to identify gunfire within seconds and pinpoint its location, aiming to significantly reduce police response times and enhance street safety.
Key Takeaways
- Laredo City Council has approved funding for 16 new Flock "Raven" gunshot detection sensors.
- The technology can detect gunfire and alert police within seconds, pinpointing locations to within two blocks.
- This expansion aims to improve response times and contribute to safer streets.
- The system has already demonstrated effectiveness in building cases and aiding arrests.
Upgraded Technology for Swift Action
The Laredo Police Department is investing in 16 new Flock "Raven" sensors, a technology already in use by the department. These sensors are capable of detecting the sound of gunfire and instantly alerting law enforcement, even if no 911 call is made. The system’s ability to triangulate the origin of shots fired to within approximately two blocks allows officers to be dispatched to the precise location more rapidly.
Assistant Police Chief Ricardo Gonzalez highlighted the system’s effectiveness, stating, "This technology that we already have in Laredo is helpful because it lets us build better cases when shots are fired. We place sensors in key areas, and they triangulate exactly where it’s happening."
Proven Results and Future Goals
The impact of the existing gunshot detection system is already evident. Between 2024 and 2025, calls reporting shots fired saw a 16% decrease. A notable instance occurred on January 16th, when the "shot spotter" system triggered an alert before any resident could call 911, enabling officers to respond immediately to a situation involving shots fired in a south Laredo neighborhood. In this case, the department utilized drones in conjunction with the sensor data to quickly locate and apprehend three suspects.
Chief Mike Rodriguez emphasized the efficiency gained through technology, stating, "What we were trying to show with that video is the efficiency we have when technology helps us locate shots fired." He added, "Once we triangulated the area, we sent out our technology — including drones — and we were able to capture the subjects involved in those shots fired."
Addressing Tragic Incidents and Strategic Deployment
City leaders pointed to tragic events, such as the New Year’s Eve incident where a stray bullet fatally struck Moises Jaimes, as a driving force behind this investment. The goal is to enable police to intervene before such tragedies occur.
The 16 new sensors will be strategically deployed in high-risk areas and known hot spots where criminal activity involving firearms is more prevalent. While Chief Rodriguez acknowledged that covering the entire city would require over 100 sensors and is currently cost-prohibitive, he stressed that this expansion is a significant step towards enhancing neighborhood safety.
A Layer of Protection, Not a Replacement
Police officials are keen to emphasize that the gunshot detection system is an additional layer of security and does not replace the critical role of 911 calls. It serves to provide instant alerts and a crucial head start for officers responding to dangerous situations. The sensors are already active in school zones across Laredo, and this latest expansion marks the beginning of a broader effort to improve safety throughout the city.
Each sensor is estimated to cost around $35,000.
Sources
Founder Dinis Guarda
IntelligentHQ Your New Business Network.
IntelligentHQ is a Business network and an expert source for finance, capital markets and intelligence for thousands of global business professionals, startups, and companies.
We exist at the point of intersection between technology, social media, finance and innovation.
IntelligentHQ leverages innovation and scale of social digital technology, analytics, news, and distribution to create an unparalleled, full digital medium and social business networks spectrum.
IntelligentHQ is working hard, to become a trusted, and indispensable source of business news and analytics, within financial services and its associated supply chains and ecosystems
Laredo Police Enhance Gunshot Detection System for Faster Response
Laredo police are set to bolster their public safety efforts with the expansion of their gunshot detection technology. The City Council has approved funding for 16 new Flock "Raven" sensors, designed to identify gunfire within seconds and pinpoint its location, aiming to significantly reduce police response times and enhance street safety.
Key Takeaways
Upgraded Technology for Swift Action
The Laredo Police Department is investing in 16 new Flock "Raven" sensors, a technology already in use by the department. These sensors are capable of detecting the sound of gunfire and instantly alerting law enforcement, even if no 911 call is made. The system’s ability to triangulate the origin of shots fired to within approximately two blocks allows officers to be dispatched to the precise location more rapidly.
Assistant Police Chief Ricardo Gonzalez highlighted the system’s effectiveness, stating, "This technology that we already have in Laredo is helpful because it lets us build better cases when shots are fired. We place sensors in key areas, and they triangulate exactly where it’s happening."
Proven Results and Future Goals
The impact of the existing gunshot detection system is already evident. Between 2024 and 2025, calls reporting shots fired saw a 16% decrease. A notable instance occurred on January 16th, when the "shot spotter" system triggered an alert before any resident could call 911, enabling officers to respond immediately to a situation involving shots fired in a south Laredo neighborhood. In this case, the department utilized drones in conjunction with the sensor data to quickly locate and apprehend three suspects.
Chief Mike Rodriguez emphasized the efficiency gained through technology, stating, "What we were trying to show with that video is the efficiency we have when technology helps us locate shots fired." He added, "Once we triangulated the area, we sent out our technology — including drones — and we were able to capture the subjects involved in those shots fired."
Addressing Tragic Incidents and Strategic Deployment
City leaders pointed to tragic events, such as the New Year’s Eve incident where a stray bullet fatally struck Moises Jaimes, as a driving force behind this investment. The goal is to enable police to intervene before such tragedies occur.
The 16 new sensors will be strategically deployed in high-risk areas and known hot spots where criminal activity involving firearms is more prevalent. While Chief Rodriguez acknowledged that covering the entire city would require over 100 sensors and is currently cost-prohibitive, he stressed that this expansion is a significant step towards enhancing neighborhood safety.
A Layer of Protection, Not a Replacement
Police officials are keen to emphasize that the gunshot detection system is an additional layer of security and does not replace the critical role of 911 calls. It serves to provide instant alerts and a crucial head start for officers responding to dangerous situations. The sensors are already active in school zones across Laredo, and this latest expansion marks the beginning of a broader effort to improve safety throughout the city.
Each sensor is estimated to cost around $35,000.
Sources
Founder Dinis Guarda
IntelligentHQ Your New Business Network.
IntelligentHQ is a Business network and an expert source for finance, capital markets and intelligence for thousands of global business professionals, startups, and companies.
We exist at the point of intersection between technology, social media, finance and innovation.
IntelligentHQ leverages innovation and scale of social digital technology, analytics, news, and distribution to create an unparalleled, full digital medium and social business networks spectrum.
IntelligentHQ is working hard, to become a trusted, and indispensable source of business news and analytics, within financial services and its associated supply chains and ecosystems
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