SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Albuquerque police claim gunshot detection technology has made a big difference in helping officers find suspects, fast. Now, another major New Mexico city says it’s ready to make that same investment. “It’s very valuable. It’s an officer safety tool, it’s a life-saving tool,” said Lt. Jimmie Montoya of the Santa Fe Police Department.
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Santa Fe police are now hoping to get the green light from city council to launch a gunshot detection pilot program using ShotSpotter technology. “If we don’t have the tools, it makes us very difficult to for us to do our job,” continued Lt. Montoya.
For years, officers have relied on 911 callers’ descriptions, but those calls can be inaccurate if they’re even reported at all. “This specific technology can give us the location of the shots and so we can use this technology to approach safely for officers and our detectives,” emphasized Montoya.
Using microphones or “acoustic sensors” to record neighborhood sounds, ShotSpotter is designed to analyze that sound in near real-time and then quickly alert police about where gunshots are coming from.
Santa Fe is looking to install the tech in a $350,000-one-year pilot program. “It does cost a decent amount of money, but if we’re saving lives, I believe it’s it’s going to be very beneficial!” said Montoya.
If city councilors approve it, police are looking to focus on two neighborhoods with a higher level of reported gun crimes, including midtown near Saint Michael’s Drive and on Airport Road near Cerillos.
The proposal could be introduced for possible city council action in the coming weeks.