NEW BERN, N.C. (WNCT) — Starting Tuesday, the City of New Bern is implementing a new system to help better respond to gun violence.
The city has signed a three-year contract to implement the ShotSpotter system in areas within the city. ShotSpotter is an audio detection system. Devices are installed on buildings and utility poles. It picks up any sounds that resemble gun shots.
These sounds are analyzed by experts using ShotSpotter at the Incident Review Center. They can distinguish whether the sound is actually a gunshot or something else, such as fireworks. Once that decision is made, local police officers will be alerted via the app and a call will be made to a 911 center. All this he does within 60 seconds.
New Bern Police Chief Patrick Gallagher said, “If we can intervene in an incident of violence that is happening to those involved, and be able to arrive on scene within 30 to 60 seconds to provide assistance to those in need of medical care, That is very important.” “Roughly 80 to 90 percent of the shootings we see in this area are not even reported to police, so we can't respond to those incidents.
“Even if there is an injured person who needs treatment, we don't come because we don't know about it. In that regard, we can save the life of a seriously injured person.”
New Bern police said they have heard some concerns about being able to eavesdrop on conversations. Gallagher said they don't have the ability to do that.
The new system costs approximately $49,500 per year. The council hopes to pay for the first year and find a community partner to help with the remaining costs.
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