June 25, 2021
New Release
Media Contact:
Lt/ Paul Davis – Public Information Officer
Desk: 419-245-3217
paul.davis@toledo.oh.gov
Toledo, OH (June 25, 2021): A second ShotSpotter Zone went live in Toledo at noon on June 25, 2021 to continues helping combat the increasing problem of gun violence. ShotSpotter first launched in Toledo in June of 2019 in the Lagrange Street Corridor area. From its inception in Toledo to April 17, 2021, Shot Spotter alerts alone (with no associated 911 call) have resulted in 77 guns being taken off the streets and 102 arrests.
The location of the new ShotSpotter Zone was determined using crime data and is located in the area of Ottawa Park, The Toledo Hospital, and Scott Park District Station. It was paid for through a donation from the Toledo Police Foundation. ShotSpotter will continue to help Toledo police by alerting them to gunshots in neighborhoods of which approximately 80% are not reported to 911. ShotSpotter enables officers to respond strategically, assist victims of gun violence more quickly, and improve evidence collection.
ShotSpotter uses acoustic sensors to detect and locate gunshots using triangulation. The information is then relayed to ShotSpotter’s 24/7 Incident Review Center for confirmation that the sounds are gunshots, then relayed to the 911 Call Center for dispatched to send officers. This entire process takes less than 60 seconds and had a 97% aggregate accuracy rate in 2019.
The real-time alerts notify police precisely when and where gun incidents occur, resulting in a faster, more accurate response to the scene to better recover evidence, interview witnesses, and attend to gunshot victims. The overall goal is to reduce gun violence and improve the safety to the community.
