Denver Police to Conduct Live-Gunfire Testing of ShotSpotter System

Residents Will Hear Gunshots in Several Neighborhoods Monday Night

On Monday night, November 6, 2017, between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., the Denver Police Department (DPD) will be conducting live-gunfire testing of the ShotSpotter gunfire detection system. ShotSpotter detects the sound of gunshots and helps DPD to identify the area in which the shots were fired. This exercise will test the current system and does not include any new locations or installations of the system.
 
The live gunfire tests will take place in the Westwood, Villa Park, Clayton and Montbello neighborhoods. The controlled tests will consist of a sequence of gunshots followed by validation of sound detection by ShotSpotter.  During the tests, a bullet trap will be used to ensure public safety -- no bullets will be fired into the air or ground, and there is no danger to the public. The hours of 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. were chosen for testing because the majority of shootings and shots fired occur at night and in the early morning hours and acoustics are different at night.
 
The ShotSpotter system uses a network of acoustic sensors to detect when a gun is fired and then precisely and quickly pinpoints the location of the gunfire. In less than a minute, ShotSpotter notifies 911 dispatchers of the incidents. By quickly notifying police with the precise information, ShotSpotter helps speed police response, has the potential to save lives, increases weapons-related arrests, and enhances the safety of our neighborhoods. While the ShotSpotter system is very effective, DPD still encourages the community to report sounds of gunfire.

Denver ShotSpotter Facts:

• DPD began using ShotSpotter in early 2015
• ShotSpotter alerts have resulted in approximately 96 arrests and 78 guns recovered
• To maintain the integrity of the program, the locations of ShotSpotter detection devices are not publicly disclosed​