Fort Myers police credit ShotSpotter technology with reduced gun violence

Gun violence went up 40% nationwide last year. But in Fort Myers it dropped by 33%, and the Fort Myers Police Department is crediting ShotSpotter technology, which uses sensors that detect gunshots in a 4-square-mile radius.

“As the gun fire happens, it triangulates it to all the officers as well as the real-time crime center personnel,” said Acting Capt. Richard Meeks. “Our communication section, they have a map, it alerts upon that gun fire and it gives them the precise location where this gunfire is. We’re typically seeing that where the dot is on the map, we’re within about 10 feet from where that dot is on the map that the officers get, [that] is where the gunfire occurred. And that’s where we’re collecting evidence and other things during that.”

Police say once they get called out, they not only collect evidence, but also talk to witnesses and build trust with the community. By showing up to scenes, they hope to show people they’re reliable and active. It also helps them position officers where and when gun violence is likely to happen, to deter future crime.

This also helps police differentiate between fireworks and gunshots and determine if it’s a single shot or multiple, because the dispatch can listen back to the sound.

“So a lot of times it could be gunfire in places where, if no one calls, the police aren’t coming, and now we’re coming and we’re going to be using our resources to find out what’s going on in that area,” Meeks said. “And then, too, it’s about educating the community and working with them, and building the community engagement with them so we can get information back where, a lot of times, people aren’t calling and talking about the gunfire. Now they are.”