The location of gunshot detection technology in Indianapolis has been revealed following the release of leaked documents, reports say.
According to an article in the technology magazine Wired, data from the company formerly known as ShotSpotter shows a high concentration of detectors only on the east side of Indianapolis, starting directly east of downtown.
The gunshot detection system claims to pinpoint gunshot sounds and send information to police so they can respond to the scene and recover evidence.
Indianapolis’ new police chief, Chris Bailey, recently told IndyStar that testing of the city’s gunshot detection system is still in development. He also touched on differing opinions on the effectiveness of the technology and whether it reduces crime.
more:Gunshot detection data under consideration to determine future of technology in Indianapolis
“This is a very expensive technology,” he said. “In our city’s 400 square miles, we’ll probably never have enough money to put it in every place we want.”
Exactly where the gunshot detectors would be installed in Indianapolis was not disclosed at the time the pilot program began for safety reasons. But the newly released map appears to match the locations where police said they would test the technology.
Police said a detection system was installed in an area of about 5 square miles on Indianapolis’ east side when the investigation began. This area extends to Massachusetts Avenue and East 21st.cent North street. Emerson Avenue to the east and East Washington Street to the south. On the west side is North Oriental Street. Neighborhoods included in the testing phase are Little Flower, Tuxedo Park, Bossert Brown, and Woodruff Place. The area surrounding Brookside Park will also be included in the testing area.
Previous report:Gunshot detection experiment on the east side of Indianapolis.Here’s what you need to know
Police previously told IndyStar that a detection system covering a three-square-mile area could cost about $250,000 to install and $200,000 annually to maintain.
IndyStar asked the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department about the accuracy of gunshot detection locations and the progress of its gunshot detection program.
Read the article on Wired.com here.
Contact reporter Sarah Nelson at sarah.nelson@indystar.com.
