Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams says a new report shows one piece of his administration’s policing strategy is working.
Williams and Police Chief Bobby Cummings Monday released a review of data from the ShotSpotter system installed last June. They say it indicates the technology is working to reduce shooting incidents.
ShotSpotter detects gunfire and provides law enforcement with real-time information about those incidents.
The report, produced by the company that makes ShotSpotter, says between June 2014 and December 2014 the technology detected 231 incidents of illegal gunfire in the three square miles of the city it covers. From January 2015 until last month, 135 gunfire incidents were reported by ShotSpotter in that same area – a drop of nearly 42 percent from the previous six months.
"The ShotSpotter annual review is a positive indicator that the Wilmington Police Department continues to attack violent crime in the City of Wilmington,” said Williams in a statement. “By utilizing ShotSpotter’s innovative technology, the police are able to proactively address gun crime in targeted areas throughout the city.”
Cummings adds that ShotSpotter is doing its part in "multi-faceted" policing approach.
“In conjunction with our other methods of policing, ShotSpotter allows us to quickly get on crime scenes faster and use the intelligence to apprehend violent offenders,” said Cummings in a statement.
The report was released as a budget amendment seeking 585 thousand dollars to fund Mayor Williams’ latest policing plan remains stalled in a City Council committee.
