Small Town Embraces Big City Tech to Curb Growing Gun Violence

Gun violence in Kankakee, population 26,000, has escalated in recent years. In 2020, there were seven homicides and almost daily reports of shots fired.

The Kankakee police department is one of a growing category of smaller towns deploying ShotSpotter’s acoustic detection technology for preventing and reducing gun violence. Results were almost immediate: Police arrested a suspect in December 2020 after ShotSpotter pinpointed a location where shots had been fired. Officers also recovered a 9 mm handgun nearby, along with shell casings matching the weapon.

In a January 2021 case, police credited the technology and quick action of the responding officer for saving the life of a gunshot victim. In four of the six shooting incidents in January, police made arrests or identified suspects. Overall, Kankakee police report they have located victims, evidence and suspects more quickly since introducing ShotSpotter.