A resolution introduced by Suffolk County Legislature Minority Leader Jason Richberg directing the Suffolk County Police Department to study the feasibility of implementing gunshot detection and location technology was approved by the Suffolk County Legislature at its April general meeting.
“Communities throughout Suffolk County, New York State and the nation have seen a recent rise in gun violence,” said Legislator Richberg. “We as a county should be utilizing every tool available to combat crime in communities that are impacted by gun violence, and this legislation aims to do just that. The county decided to stop utilizing the ShotSpotter program in 2018, but recent advances in gunshot detection technology have led to an improvement in the accuracy and speed in detecting and pinpointing the location of gunfire, and I think that’s something we should take a close look at. I look forward to seeing what the department comes back to us with.”
IR1274-2022 directs the Commissioner of the Suffolk County Police Department to study the feasibility of implementing a gunfire detection and location system in Suffolk County and deliver its findings to the County Legislature and the County Executive within sixty days. The Police Department will study the manufacturers of gunfire detection and location systems and the strengths and weaknesses of each system and recommend which system(s) would be most beneficial to Suffolk County and which communities would most benefit from a gunfire detection and location system.