Victorville First San Bernardino City Deploys Gunshot Detection Technology

Victorville has become the first city in San Bernardino County to deploy ShotSpotter, an advanced gunshot detection technology, in the Brentwood/Hook and Old Town/Midtown neighborhoods, which have high rates of gun-related calls. The system uses acoustic sensors to triangulate the location of gunfire within seconds and provides data on the number and types of weapons involved, enabling law enforcement and emergency responders to react more quickly and effectively. Since its activation three weeks ago, ShotSpotter has helped the Victorville Police Department solve three gun-related incidents that were not reported to 911, addressing the issue that less than 20% of such incidents are typically reported nationwide. The city entered a three-year, $470,000 contract with SoundThinking, the company behind ShotSpotter, funded by Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Funds. Officials, including Mayor Liz Becerra and Police Chief Captain Jerry Davenport, highlighted the technology's role in enhancing public safety by improving crime-solving capabilities and faster emergency response. This initiative complements Victorville’s recent deployment of 123 automatic license plate readers and plans for a drone program to further bolster law enforcement effectiveness through real-time data integration.