Gunshot Detection

In 2015, in an effort to curb gun violence in the metropolitan area, Denver installed gunshot detection technology, ShotSpotter, in areas with concentrated gun violence. The technology pinpoints the location of a suspected gunshot within 5 meters. By pinpointing the approximate location of a gunshot, Denver police officers can respond rapidly to help those injured and to gather evidence.  Denver’s gunshot detection system has contributed to 134 arrests since its implementation in 2015.¹Elise Schmelzer, “Denver Expands Gunshot Detection System After Killings Rise,” The Denver Post (posted on Government Technology), January 31, 2019, http://bit.ly/33Qfnk5.

In 2018, Denver police expanded ShotSpotter into four more of the city’s downtown neighborhoods; twelve percent of the city is now covered with ShotSpotter technology.²Ibid. Denver hopes to cover the entire downtown with ShotSpotter technology by the end of 2019.³Ibid.

After installing ShotSpotter in 2015, the police department noticed a trend where gunshot incidents were not being reported by the community. In 2017, the data showed that 78 percent of ShotSpotter gunshot alerts did not have an accompanying 911 call for service.⁴Barbara Archer (Deputy Chief, Denver Police Department), interview by Melissa Paquette of Everytown for Gun Safety, October 1, 2019. In 2018, this number jumped to 91 percent.⁵Ibid. The Denver Police Department works with the community to ensure gunshots are reported and does not believe ShotSpotter technology is a replacement for the community reporting crimes through 911 calls.