As citizens we can’t fall for the political smoke screens when it comes to the safety of our communities. For the County Executive, the Commissioners to think this gunshot detection technology will actually prevent crime, they are betting on a long shot themselves.
According to the National Institute of Justice, Police response times to technology-generated reports of gunfire were compared to response times to citizen generated reports both before and during the test period. For the most part, there was little difference between response times to technology-generated reports of gunfire during the test period and response times to citizen-generated reports before the test period. However, the mean response time to citizen-generated reports of gunfire during the test period (about 30minutes) was about 30 percent less than the mean response time to technology-generated reports (about45 minutes). Nonetheless, the overall mean response time during the test period (to the technology- and citizen-generated reports combined) was about 41minutes, just 2 minutes longer than the mean response time before the test period (to citizen-generated reports only). Researchers concluded that using the technology did not change in any substantial way the speed with which the police responded to reports of gunfire.
Key findings: The study of the use of gunshot detection technology in local law enforcement led the research team to four broad conclusions:
Gunshot detection systems are likely to reveal rather high citizen under-reporting rates of random gunfire problems (23 percent of incidents are reported).
The technology is likely to increase the workloads of police officers, particularly if departments dispatch a patrol unit to every gunfire incident detected by a technological system.
Gunshot detection systems are not likely to lead to more arrests of people firing weapons in urban settings because it is highly unlikely that offenders will stay at a gunshot location long enough for the police to arrive.
Finally, gunshot detection systems seem to offer the most potential as a problem-solving tool and would fit nicely within the emerging problem-oriented policing paradigm. The technology can help police identify random gunfire hot spots and develop strategies to address the problem.
Finally, if the police department may not have a rapid response policy or the resources to implement such a policy. Second, if the tool is inaccurate, police resources may be wasted by dispatching units to false alarms. Third, a police department that is committed to community policing may prefer to focus its resources on preventive measures, rather than on rapid response measures. Regardless of the amount of tax payer’s money they spend for gadgets and toys. Nothing is better than good old fashion community policing, something that has not been implemented in Yonkers or Mt. Vernon. Three Million can go along way. Maybe they should start by fixing the car- cams in Mt. Vernon’s fleet of cars and install car-cams in Yonkers fleet, along with requiring Yonkers PD to wear name tags, put more Police Officers on the street and truly invest in Community Policing. That is where the tax payer’s money is truly needed and would be well spent.
Friday, February 26, 2010
The Disconnection of Westchester County Government with its People
There is hypocrisy in Westchester politics. Why did the County Executive and Legislators push a shotspotter system that is neither preventative nor a true quality of life investment for the residents of Mt. Vernon and Yonkers while residents of Ardsley received monies for school improvement, road maintenance and wireless systems for their schools?
As citizens, we must ask if Mt. Vernon and Yonkers whose high schools are averaging a 60 percent graduation rate (according to publicschoolreview.com) and the majority of the gun violence are perpetrated by 16-22 years old who have either dropped out of school, can't find a means to make a living and turn to guns, gangs and violence for means of survival. Why our legislators and County Executive did not see a greater need to invest in our youth and in our community? What about something very simple; Create jobs with the 3 million dollars. Not to mention it will cost another 300 thousand dollars to maintain and operate this system. Yet, Mt. Vernon’s operating techniques are ancient. Officers lack the proper equipment in squad cars such as computers to run license plates or I.D checks and working car-cams. Just small investment in the officers will help them do their work more proficiently, effectively and safe.
Our County Executive and Legislators are disconnected. How does Shotspotter invest in our community, our people, and our children? Does this really make the citizens of Mt. Vernon and Yonkers feel safer and more secure?
If the community leaders and politicians were really connected to the community they would know that it is easier for a child to get a gun on the streets of Southern Westchester than a job since no politician is really serious about creating jobs in Southern Westchester. The tax payers are force to take Shotspotter.
The community meeting at Grace Baptist Church on Tuesday, March 31, Mt Vernon Police Chief Duncan mentioned implementing Operation Protect. The National Black Police Association is familiar with this program. As a national organization we offer all of our assistance and resources to make it effective, but it will take many community components such as: social work, education, proper outreach, and job placement to make this program truly effective.
If community and political leaders truly want change they should demand that their tax payer dollars are better spent on preventive measures such as Operation Protect that Mt. Vernon Police Chief Duncan has spoken of to provide a more effective tools to reducing crime as opposed to a haphazard device that sounds good but does not create a long lasting solution to the prevention or reduction of crime in our neighborhoods.
In Unity and Peace
Damon K. Jones
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