City of Rocky Mount, NC, Enhancing Public Safety Response & Gun Crime Intelligence with SST & ShotSpotter Gunfire Alert and Analysis Service

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Rocky Mount Police Department Leveraging Gun Crime Data and Strategic Policing Initiatives to Make Local Community Safer from Gun Violence

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Rocky Mount Police Department is quickly realizing key benefits in incorporating the gunfire alert and analysis technology provided by SST, Inc., with its strategic and tactical operations to combat crime in the city. In July 2011, the Rocky Mount Police Department implemented the ShotSpotter Flex™ solution in support of its ongoing commitment to rid the city of gun crime and gun violence and improve the quality of life for its residents. ShotSpotter Flex is delivered to Rocky Mount in a hosted service model that provides the comprehensive gunfire data and intelligence of the world’s leading gunshot detection technology but now more affordable and easier for law enforcement agencies to deploy and operate.

Since deploying ShotSpotter Flex, Rocky Mount PD has been able to leverage the actionable intelligence and data provided by the service to support its strategic policing measures in the ShotSpotter coverage area:

  • Improved Awareness and Analysis - Incident data provided by ShotSpotter Flex has been used by the Rocky Mount PD to identify “hotspots” and areas with high concentrations of illegal gunfire.
  • Better Resource Management and Community Engagement - Rocky Mount is using the new data to mobilize specialized teams for proactive and strategic policing measures in high crime areas, and officers are also conducting self initiated patrols to maintain a stronger presence.
  • Data-Driven Policing Operations and Safer Response - Officers who were initially skeptical of ShotSpotter have become highly confident in its accuracy and the actionable intelligence provided by the service. As a result, Rocky Mount officers and investigators are better prepared when responding to gunfire incidents and are using ShotSpotter data to build case files, crime analysis, and in support of evidence provided to prosecutors.
  • Cost Savings for the City - Gunshot detection data provided by ShotSpotter Flex has enabled the Rocky Mount PD to refute false claims by gunshot victims, saving the agency lost investigative time and resources.

Rocky Mount PD has made 15 arrests related to illegal gun usage and crime since the implementation of ShotSpotter. In one incident, ShotSpotter Flex alerted the Police Department to the scene of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found shell-casings outside the premises as pinpointed by ShotSpotter. With the probable cause to then search the house, officers made entry and were able to recover five handguns, three of which were identified as stolen. One of the guns had been hidden in a child’s toy box, resulting in an arrest for child-endangerment. Officers also arrested a felon for being in possession of a handgun.

Located in eastern North Carolina, the city of Rocky Mount covers over 35 square miles and has a population of more than 57,000 residents.

About SST, Inc.

SST, Inc. is the world leader in gunshot detection, and its ShotSpotter solutions are the leading gunfire alert and analysis solutions. Its public safety technology solutions are focused on improving public and community safety by locating gunfire and other explosive events, and ultimately, helping reduce and prevent gun violence and improving intelligence-led policing and community policing initiatives. SST solutions protect cities and countries around the world, with more than 80 installations in four countries and in 60 US cities. Privately held, the company possesses a multitude of patents that are the result of nearly two decades of innovation in the area of acoustic gunshot location technology. Information about SST and ShotSpotter can be found at www.sst-inc.com and www.shotspotter.com. You can also follow SST and ShotSpotter solutions on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

ShotSpotter
Lydia Barrett, 650-833-9534
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
lbarrett@shotspotter.com
Derick Lynch, 408-598-0691
Sr. Manager, Marketing
dlynch@shotspotter.com
or
Rocky Mount Police Department
Sgt. Kevin T. Bern 2360, 252-972-1475
Planning and Accreditation
Kevin.Bern@rockymountnc.gov

Source: ShotSpotter

Released October 20, 2011