Safest City in the New York Capital District Teams with ShotSpotter

The city of Troy recently announced that the Troy Police Department will implement the ShotSpotter Gunshot Location System (GLS) as a part of the department's latest approach to proactively combating gun crime. The Troy Police Department will use the ShotSpotter GLS system to sense, detect and respond to gun crime and other explosive events within a one mile coverage area in the city.

"This is not technology that sits waiting to be used sparingly by elite technicians," said Police Chief Nicholas F. Kaiser. "Once implemented, the ShotSpotter GLS vigilantly stands watch for those rare but nonetheless deadly moments when firearms are used by criminals in our city."

The ShotSpotter GLS operates a network of sensors that in real time identify, classify, locate and alert first responders to the precise location of weapons fire and other explosive incidents. These incidents are logged into a historical database for strategic and tactical crime analysis to reveal patterns, trends and hot spots. Today 32 cities and counties around the U.S. use the data and analytics gathered by the ShotSpotter GLS to drive intelligence-led policing and targeted tactical anti-crime operations and programs. Customers using the system report a reduction in violent crime rates by at least 30 percent and gunfire rate reductions by as much as 60 to 80 percent. System data has been successfully used to corroborate and refute testimony as well as aid in crime scene reconstruction.

"This amazing technology is going to play a critical role in what we believe to be a vital tool in fighting crime -- sending a message that Troy is not a safe haven for criminals," said Mayor Harry J. Tutunjian. "Once this project is completed, if you fire a gun in Troy, we will catch you, we will prosecute you."

"The ShotSpotter GLS system will enhance the violent crime reduction strategies that we already have in place," said Kaiser. "The synergy created from our COMPSTAT program, Street Crimes Unit and ShotSpotter GLS will result in lives being saved and a reduction in gun violence."

"Law enforcement personnel are able to develop more targeted crime prevention strategies and operations thanks to advancements in public safety technology," said Gregg Rowland, senior vice president of ShotSpotter. "The ShotSpotter GLS system will provide Chief Kaiser and the brave officers of the Troy Police Department with critical actionable intelligence and more complete data on gun violence within their coverage area. This information will enable officers to better monitor and analyze gun-crime trends and develop successful and proactive programs for eradicating gun crime within the city of Troy."