The Tacoma Police Department will deploy a gunshot-detection system called ShotSpotter in the fall with hopes of reducing violent crimes in the city and shortening police response times.
ShotSpotter will cover 2 square miles in Tacoma, with the initial deployment happening in the Hosmer area, the Tacoma Police Department said in a news release.
"ShotSpotter allows law enforcement agencies to swiftly identify and locate gunfire incidents through real-time alerts that pinpoint the precise location of gunfire," the release said. "This technology enables officers to promptly reach the scene, identify and aid victims, interview witnesses, collect crucial evidence, and, in some instances, apprehend armed and dangerous offenders."
The department will host community meetings to unveil the details of the ShotSpotter deployment. The meetings will provide an in-depth understanding on how the technology operates and how it will bolster law enforcement's efforts to combat crime while ensuring the safety of both officers and citizens, the release said.
"The Tacoma Police Department remains steadfast in its dedication to reducing violent crime and has initiated proactive measures to address gun violence within the community," the release said. "Our mission is to cultivate a safe and secure environment for Tacoma's community members, workers, and visitors, fostering a welcoming and secure city for all."
The community meetings will be held:
— Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 6 p.m. at the 4-sector substation, 400 E. 56th St.
— Thursday, Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. at the 4-sector substation, 400 E. 56th St.
The department announced ShotSpotter's pilot program in April, funded with an $800,000 grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, The News Tribune previously reported.
The technology has faced controversy in other jurisdictions, with critics saying that it is unreliable, costly and results in over-policing in communities of color, according to a CNN report.
Proponents of ShotSpotter, including police departments, prosecutor's offices and some city neighborhoods, have described it as an effective tool for a faster police responses, shooting investigations and for allocating officers, the story said.
Tacoma Police Chief Avery Moore told The News Tribune in April that the technology would not target communities of color, that it strictly detects gunfire.
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