Situation
After calls reporting gunshots more than doubled between 2019-2020 and an officer died in the line of duty, the Hot Springs Police Department (HSPD) developed the Violent Crime Reduction Strategy for 2020-2021. As part of this initiative, the HSPD implemented ShotSpotter.
Results
Hot Springs Police Chief Chris Chapmond said that their department has seen significant returns on their investment in SoundThinking’s ShotSpotter gunshot detection system. GPS coordinates of the gunshot’s location are relayed to officers’ cell phones and mobile data terminals, putting them on the scene within minutes. “A lot of the time we will have officers on the scene before we even get information from dispatch,” said HSPD SWAT Operator Jjesus Anaya.
600
Gunshots Detected within 5 months of ShotSpotter implementation
53%
Reduction in Homicides
With the HSPD strategy working in tandem with SoundThinking technology, there was a reported 53% reduction in homicides in 2021 compared to 2020. A year after implementation, the HSPD is doubling its ShotSpotter coverage area based on the significant reduction in homicides and improved ability to detect and respond quickly to gunshots.
ShotSpotter is an extremely important aspect to our Violent Crime Reduction Strategy. This piece of technology allows us to respond faster, to a more precise location, and in a safer manner. It’s about working smarter, not harder, and it’s about a better way of policing.
