ShotSpotter Announces New Program For Violence Prevention Groups

The company used by the Pasadena Police Department since February to electronically detect gunfire and report its location almost instantly to officers in the field has launched a new community-focused program to use its data to support violence intervention and prevention.

ShotSpotter, Inc. announced Data for Good will share precision data about where and when gun violence occurs so non-law enforcement organizations can provide prompt interventions to residents in need of services and support. 

The company said that with access to timely and accurate gunfire location data, community violence intervention groups, social services, mental health professionals and many other community organizations can better direct their resources to prevent future violence, address root causes, and provide assistance to those adversely impacted by exposure to persistent gun violence.

“ShotSpotter technology is known as a tool for helping law enforcement save lives and improve the safety of communities we serve nationwide. I’m excited to now share that our Data for Good program will extend this positive impact more deeply into violence prevention and community assistance work,” said Ralph A. Clark, President and CEO of ShotSpotter. 

“We hope to see this grow from the handful of community organizations that currently utilize ShotSpotter gunfire data to hundreds of partners across the country that deploy their social, health and economic resources to the right places at the right times in order to help prevent violence.”

According to the Annals of Internal Medicine, survivors of firearm injury have a 51% increase in psychiatric disorders and an 85% increase in substance use disorders. 

Individuals exposed to ongoing gunfire incidents can experience PTSD-like symptoms and require immediate follow-up. Local and national organizations in communities across the country help to address this problem through a variety of means, including violence intervention and prevention, counseling and economic assistance. 

ShotSpotter said its Data for Good program was created to help its law enforcement customers identify violence prevention organizations, schools, government entities, and other community organizations that would receive gunfire data and analytics including heat maps and dashboards. 

These tools indicate where gunfire and potential trauma may be occurring so the appropriate community resources can be deployed to offer immediate and lasting support and help address the core issues that drive crime.