Sikeston city officials learn about ShotSpotter program
SIKESTON, Mo. (KBSI) – Staff with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, city staff and officials with Sikeston BMU and Sikeston Public Schools, took part in an executive kickoff briefing for the new ShotSpotter program Wednesday afternoon.
The ShotSpotter program, through SoundThinking, is a gunshot detection program that enables rapid response to gunfire, 80% of which is not reported to 911.
The sound of unsuppressed outdoor gunfire, above .25 caliber, fired within the target area can be detected by the program.
ShotSpotter uses microphones that are mounted in various locations in Sikeston.
An alert is sent to the gunshot detection operations center for review and verification.
Once the gunshot is verified, an alert is sent to Sikeston DPS communications, the officers data terminal, and their smart phone, if desired.
The alert consists of a pin drop location on Google Maps with the exact location, the number of shots fired and a recording of the gunshots, sent to officers in less than 60 seconds.
Officers are able to respond to the exact location where the gunshots were fired.
ShotSpotter covers approximately 2.1 square miles in Sikeston.
The program has 90% accuracy within 82 feet of the shot which allows officers to find victims and evidence quickly.
Sikeston DPS officers are scheduled for training with the ShotSpotter program in late February. City leaders hope to launch the program in March.
The cost of the service is $99,000 per year. A BJA FY23 Rural and Small Department Violent Crime Reduction Grant will cover the cost of the program for three years.
There is no financial obligation to continue with the ShotSpotter technology or program after three years.
The cost covers installation, monitoring, data analysis as well as expert court room testimony in relation to violent gun crime.
Cape Girardeau police implemented the ShotSpotter technology in 2022.
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