Paterson, NJ Improves Public Safety with Addition of Gunshot Location System

Mayor Jose Torres was instrumental in bringing the gunshot location system to the city.

The City of Paterson, NJ, is merging the ShotSpotter Gunshot Detection and Location System with its wireless surveillance network in a move to better public safety.

The ShotSpotter GLS sensors will begin being placed across areas of Paterson in locations as a complement to an existing and expanding camera infrastructure. Integration of the two technologies is scheduled to be complete by year's end and will enable cameras to move and focus on the source of gunfire.

According to Paterson Police director Michael Walker, the integration of ShotSpotter GLS "is just the first phase of a larger deployment that will serve to better enhance the safety of our citizens and better the quality of life for our community."

"We have done our homework and are pleased to be moving forward with this effective tool that will assist us in our fight against gun violence," said Walker. "By integrating the ShotSpotter system with our existing camera and broadband wireless infrastructure, we will know when and where a gunshot is fired and be able to catch every incident on video."

Citing concerns for public safety, Mayor Jose Torres was instrumental in bringing ShotSpotter GLS to the city.

"By fusing the ShotSpotter technology with our wireless surveillance camera system, Paterson police will have a significant advantage over the criminal element," said Torres. "Being able to know when and where a gunshot is fired and have a camera focus on and record the incident gives police an incredible amount of situational awareness and evidence. These complementary technologies will be a significant tool for bettering public safety and improving our community's quality of life."

Paterson officials expect the addition of ShotSpotter GLS technology to improve public safety while saving money by leveraging the city's existing wireless infrastructure.

The ShotSpotter system will cut police response time by providing real-time notification and precise data of gunfire events, including information on a shooter's location, including drive-by shooters in motion, as well as detailed intelligence and forensic analysis for arrest and prosecution.

"The City of Paterson is the second city in New Jersey to deploy our system in less than a year," said Gregg Rowland, senior vice president of ShotSpotter. "We are extremely pleased that we can continue to make a significant contribution to the reduction in gun-related crime in this state and we hope to be assisting the efforts of many more cities in New Jersey in the coming months and years."