Press Release - City of North Chicago deploys ShotSpotter to combat gun violence
City of North Chicago deploys ShotSpotter to combat gun violence
Gunshot detection technology provides real-time alerts to law enforcement to ensure fast and accurate response
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. (October 15, 2020) — The City of North Chicago implemented the use of ShotSpotter technology citywide to help combat gun violence. 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 of the community.
Funding for ShotSpotter was provided to the city by a grant from North Chicago-based pharmaceutical company AbbVie Inc.
“We are grateful to AbbVie for helping our city obtain the latest and best technology available to combat gun violence,” North Chicago Mayor, Leon Rockingham, Jr. said. “ShotSpotter is one more resource our police department will have to make our streets safer.”
The City of North Chicago remains committed to the reduction of illegal gun use and ShotSpotter is part of a larger initiative to combat violence. North Chicago Police Chief Lazaro Perez says ShotSpotter is one part of a larger proactive approach to making the community safer. “We increased our public outreach and community relations,” Perez said. “Having additional tools like ShotSpotter will make it easier for our officers to respond to and address gun issues.”
Lake County State’s Attorney, Mike Nerheim worked with the City of North Chicago to implement the ShotSpotter technology. "When I first learned of ShotSpotter, I knew our community would benefit tremendously from this technology,” Nerheim said. “I'm proud to have helped facilitate its implementation in Lake County. Congratulations to the City of North Chicago for making this become a reality. I am confident that this will be a significant tool to reduce gun violence."
ShotSpotter helps police departments transform their practices from reactive to proactive by eliminating the reliance on delayed and vastly underreported 911 calls. Research shows fewer than 20 percent of gunshots are called in to 911. ShotSpotter instantly notifies officers of gunshot crimes in progress, enabling them to mobilize strategically with real-time data delivered directly to dispatch centers, patrol cars and even smartphones. The gunfire data also enables law enforcement agencies to improve evidence collection, prosecution, and overall police effectiveness.
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About North Chicago: Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, North Chicago is home to the only training center for United States Navy recruits. With the involvement of its citizens, the city provides effective and responsive municipal services to a population of 32,574. Nearly 300,000 people visit the city each year to attend Navy recruit graduations, visit the world-renowned Abbott Laboratories and AbbVie Pharmaceutical Company, receive treatment from the James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, attend medical school at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine, and visit other places, making it one of the busiest destinations in Lake County, Illinois.
About ShotSpotter Inc. ShotSpotter (NASDAQ: SSTI) provides acoustic gunshot detection and precision policing solutions to help law enforcement officials and security personnel prevent and reduce gun violence and make cities, campuses and facilities safer. The company’s flagship product, ShotSpotter® Flex™, is the leading gunshot detection, location and forensic analysis system, and is trusted by over 100 cities. ShotSpotter® Missions™ uses artificial intelligence-driven analysis to help strategically plan patrol missions and tactics for maximum crime deterrence. ShotSpotter has been designated a Great Place to Work® company. More information on ShotSpotter is available at www.ShotSpotter.com.