Can a New System Help Police Pinpoint Random Gunfire in Dallas?

Residents in Dallas have been reporting random gunfire for years, and the city is taking steps to address the issue. The Dallas Police Department has approved a three-year contract with Crime Gunshot Intelligence Technologies for its gunshot detection program, FireFLY LE. The system uses microphones and other acoustic devices to detect the sound of a gunshot and alerts police to its possible location. The city has considered gunshot detection technology before, but it was rejected due to accuracy concerns and high costs. Now, the department is giving it another try. According to an Arizona State University study, after the sensors were in place, patrol officers were more likely to respond to gunshots, responded more quickly, and incident reports were more likely to be filed.

Police reported 8,301 random gunfire calls this year, with the highest volume in the southern sectors of the city. The department will start with 24 sensors, which will provide coverage of about 1 to 2 square miles. However, there are concerns about the system's accuracy and cost, with Police Chief Eddie García preferring more license plate readers. The department's response to random gunfire calls has been criticized for being ineffective, with some residents feeling ignored.

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