TKC JULY 4TH WEEKEND FACT CHECK: KANSAS CITY SHOTSPOTTER CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWIXT GUNFIRE AND FIREWORKS BUT FEWER POLICE STILL MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO RESPOND!!!
Fireworks are illegal in Kansas City proper in much the same way that many City Hall denizens want to restrict 2nd Amendment freedoms . . . Still, the sound of fireworks and gunfire will echo through local streets this weekend.
On the bright side, new tech can distinguish the difference between gunfire and fireworks.
Checkit:
ShotSpotter can differentiate between firework, gunfire noises
Deets:
"ShotSpotter is a technology that the city paid for that can pinpoint the exact location of a gunshot. However, with all the fireworks over the weekend, many people were wondering if it would be able to distinguish between fireworks and actual gunfire.
"ShotSpotter has filters on it where it can detect the actual explosions. It determines whether it is a firework or a bottle rocket. We do not get alerts on those," said Major Richard Zapal."
Sadly, even though Kansas City police will be armed with more information . . . They might not be able to do anything with it.
DESPITE THE PROTESTATIONS OF MAYOR SLY . . . THERE ARE FEWER POLICE ON THE STREET THIS YEAR AND STAFFING SHORTAGES COULD THREATEN WHAT PROMISES TO BE A WILD 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND!!!
Here's a bit of background on our contention from the KCPD Chief . . .
KCPD Chief's blog Reducing positions while maintaining service
And so, KCPD will be able to hear both gunfire and illegal fireworks just like everybody else . . . But the question remains: Will they be able to do anything about it with fewer resources???
You decide . . .
Ok now, before everyone starts complaining, the quote about the city paying for it is from a Major in Savannah, Georgia from the linked article. Kansas City received federal grant funds to cover the entire cost
ReplyDeleteAnd the federal money was a TRANSPORTATION GRANT so the Shot Spotter devices had to be placed along a bus route, not in higher crime areas where it might have actually done some good.
ReplyDeleteAnother waste of money just because it came from somewhere else.
How's the Green Impact Zone coming along?
I bet traffic tickets are up.
ReplyDeleteShotSpotter can differentiate between firework, gunfire noises
ReplyDelete....but, it can't tell which shots were fired by Black males, age 17-24, on the East-side, who just killed another person.
The only flaw with spotshotter is if you walk by and fart the swat team will be all over your ass inside of 45 seconds.
ReplyDeleteI call to question if they are actually operable in most locations.
ReplyDelete