Cobb County Police uses tech to find where a gunshot was fired

COBB COUNTY, Ga. - Cobb County Police are now using technology that can help them respond more quickly to calls of shots fired.

It is part of the department's ongoing effort to integrate new technology that helps save lives and prevent and solve crimes.

Gunfire detectors in Cobb County

What they're saying:

"If a person were to shoot a gun, the sound of the gunshot would travel to the sensors, and they are able to triangulate exactly where the gunshots are being fired from," said Cobb County Police Officer Aaron Wilson.

Knowing the location, officers can respond more quickly. "Officers can quickly figure out, 'I'm being dispatched to this apartment complex or this particular area where a ShotSpotter alert says someone is firing a gun.' All this happens within seconds," said Officer Wilson. In a recent case, ShotSpotter detected gunfire at an apartment complex and sent an alert. An officer tapped into cameras from Cobb's real-time crime center. "[He] pulled up the real-time camera of the apartment complex and saw the shooting take place on video," said Officer Wilson. That means before officers even arrived on the scene, they had plenty of information. "They had suspects' descriptions and everything they needed to know so as soon as they got there, they could make an arrest," said Officer Wilson.

Cobb County Police technology

Why you should care:

Cobb Police say this is one more tool in their technology tool belt to keep the community and officers safe. "With Flock cameras, FUSUS, the real-time crime center, and now ShotSpotter, we have this great technology that is helping our law enforcement officers be able to locate victims or criminals much faster than we have in years past," said Officer Wilson.

ShotSpotter: How does it work?

Dig deeper:

ShotSpotter, based in Newark, California, is a prominent provider of gunshot detection technology aimed at enhancing public safety. The company uses a network of acoustic sensors to detect and locate gunfire in real-time, sending immediate alerts to law enforcement to facilitate rapid response.

The system's sensors, typically installed on rooftops or utility poles, triangulate the location of gunshots and provide precise details to authorities. This technology is designed to improve police response times and aid in saving lives.

ShotSpotter also offers data analysis tools to help law enforcement understand gunfire trends, aiding in strategic planning. However, the company faces criticism over concerns about accuracy, privacy, and cost. Critics argue that false positives can lead to unnecessary police actions, and debates persist about its effectiveness in reducing gun violence.

Deployed in various U.S. cities and internationally, ShotSpotter is often part of broader efforts to combat gun violence in high-crime areas. Founded in 1996, the company remains a key player in public safety technology.