Staff:
Agenda:
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Police/Chief W. Blair
1/24/2022 |
AGENDA REPORT
Cape Girardeau City Council
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22-09
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SUBJECT
A resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into a contract with ShotSpotter for the purposes of providing subscription-based gunshot detection technology.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ShotSpotter Respond is an innovative technology designed to identify, locate, and track active gunfire within a defined area. Using this technology, officers of the Cape Girardeau Police Department will be able to more effectively and efficiently respond to reports of gunshots within the program's targeted area. ShotSpotter will deploy networked gunshot detection sensors in a proposed 1.2 square mile area (depicted in the attached proposal). These sensors will detect and locate outdoor gunshot activity inside the coverage area and send that information to ShotSpotter's Incident Review Center (IRC). That information will be analyzed through a two-factor review process designed to filter out incidents determined not to be gunfire. Incidents determined to be gunfire will be disseminated to the Cape Girardeau 911 Communications Center and patrol officers' in-vehicle tablets. From a gunshot to dispatch, this process is designed to occur within 60 seconds.
The proposed ShotSpotter technology will provide the opportunity for officers to more accurately and quickly respond directly to shooting scenes. The decrease in response time will allow for a better chance of arriving before a shooter flees a scene or witnesses have dispersed. Additionally, pinpointing precise locations of gunfire increase the likelihood of locating evidence upon an officer's arrival.
The proposed service agreement includes an annual subscription fee of $59,400 per year to cover a 1.2 square mile radius. The contract terms are for three (3) years for a total of $178,200. Federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) grants are the proposed funding source for the ShotSpotter project.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
In 2020, there were 498 reported calls for shots fired that resulted in 48 subjects being hit with 3 resulting murders. The following year, there were 412 reported shots fired calls that resulted in 18 subjects being hit with 2 resulting murders. The number of gunshots fired within the city is a safety concern for citizens and responding officers. The introduction of gunshot detection technology will assist the police department in responding to and reducing the number of violent crimes occurring as a result of gunfire.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The proposed service agreement includes an annual subscription fee of $59,400 per year to cover a 1.2 square mile radius. The contract terms are for three (3) years for a total of $178,200. Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants are the proposed funding source for the ShotSpotter project. A separate appropriation ordinance for the ShotSpotter system is on the January 24th Council agenda for the Council's review and approval.
SUSTAINABILITY: ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS
Reducing gun violence and the fear of dangerous crime in the community has positive social impacts. When residents witness police responding more efficiently to reports of gunfire and observing more gun crimes solved through the use of enhanced technology, their trust of law enforcement and feelings of wellbeing in their neighborhoods will increase.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the proposed services agreement.
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