Fort Worth Police Unveil Advanced Gunshot Detection System

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Fort Worth, TX – The Fort Worth Police Department has implemented a new gunshot detection technology to combat random gunfire and enhance crime-solving capabilities. This innovative system utilizes strategically placed microphones to pinpoint the exact location of gunshots, providing crucial real-time data to officers and aiding in the collection of evidence.

Fort Worth Police Deploy Advanced Gunshot Detection System

The Fort Worth Police Department has introduced a cutting-edge gunshot detection system, a significant advancement in their efforts to address prevalent issues of random gunfire and improve response times to shooting incidents. This technology, which has been fully operational for the past six months, is designed to overcome the challenges of investigating mobile shooting crimes where victims may not know the precise origin of the gunfire.

How The Technology Works

The new system operates through a network of microphones installed in areas identified by city data as having high incidences of shots fired calls. These microphones are engineered to:

Detect the distinct sound of gunfire.
Triangulate the exact location where the shots were fired.
Transmit this data to the Fort Worth Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center.

Sgt. Joe Shipp explained that the microphones only activate upon detecting sounds perceived as gunfire, ensuring privacy by not recording general conversations or other ambient noises.

Key Takeaways

The technology has been deployed in neighborhoods with the highest reported gunfire incidents, primarily between midnight and 3 a.m.
It is particularly effective in investigating "random gunfire of people that are driving and moving through a city neighborhood."
The system allows officers to quickly identify crime scenes, enabling the collection of crucial evidence like shell casings that might otherwise be missed.
This new tool is integrated with existing police technologies, including the city’s extensive camera system and license plate readers, to create a layered approach to crime solving.

Impact On Crime Fighting

By combining the gunshot detection system with other surveillance tools, the Fort Worth Police Department aims to:

Improve Response Times: Officers can be dispatched directly to the precise location of a shooting, reducing the time it takes to secure a scene.
Enhance Evidence Collection: The ability to pinpoint crime scenes accurately facilitates the recovery of physical evidence, which is vital for investigations.
Deter Violent Crime: The department hopes that the presence of this technology will act as a deterrent, curbing violent crime within the city.

Sgt. Shipp emphasized that by marrying these different technologies, the department can more effectively solve complex cases and enhance public safety.