Gunshot Detection System Slashes Gang Violence in Cities and Town
SENTRI, an advanced technology gunshot detection system, has cut gang violence in heavy crime areas in cities like Chicago and Richmond, Calif.
The neural-network-based systems has a 360 degree camera that zooms in on shooters the moment thy fire their guns. SENTRI immediately notifies police with a photo of the person firing the gun.
Users can mount the portable system on telelphone poles, buildings, police cars and vehicles. They can also train the system to "hear" people shouting for help.
currently, the police are using the system in Los Angeles; Chicago; Baltimore; Charlotte, N.C.; and Wilmington, Del.
Recently, National Geographic showed SENTRI being installed in Richmond, Calif. at the high-crime Easter Hills Housing Project. After the system was installed, the crime rate plummeted.
SENTRI says their system is cost-effecitve because it requires few units to cover an area and can be comibined with other technology, including automatic license plate readers and facial recognition.