Latest news with #gunshotdetection
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
DPD proposes new tech for West Dayton crime prevention
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — The Dayton Police Department is proposing a new program to help cut down on violent crime in the city. Gunshot detection drones and license plate readers are part of the new technology DPD wants to bring into three West Dayton neighborhoods. New DPD high-tech space combines tools to solve crime faster 2 NEWS spoke with community members who say they are hopeful this program will reduce crime. 'We can't expect officers to be everywhere at all times,' said Tasha Rountree, Wolf Creek Neighborhood Association president. Rountree says her community is likely to benefit from the implementation of new technology that could soon be patrolling the Miami Chapel, North Riverdale and Residence Park areas. This effort comes as part of a $400,000 public safety grant that will help the department implement gunshot detection, license plate readers and drones. DPD says drones will be strategically put on the outskirt of a large cluster of West Dayton neighborhoods. Rountree believes this will help protect people who live in these areas. 'With the drones being geared to hearing gunshots, we don't have to have neighbors who are now afraid to call the police,' said Rountree. 'We now have drones that heat the sound, the officers can respond.' Anti-gun violence operation ends with person shot, another arrested Dayton PD says this is all part of a pilot program, and that in two years, its results will be assessed. In a statement to 2 NEWS, DPD says in part, 'The technology will be integrated and monitored through the Real-Time Crime Center, which will enhance situational awareness, improve investigative continuity, and maximize the efficiency of police resources.' Rountree says while there are concerns surrounding surveillance and other bad actors, many local residents are looking for a solution to violence in their neighborhoods. 'And so when you have a deterrent to know those officers are coming in, we don't even have to call, that's going to curb some of the crime,' said Rountree. The program is not in effect just yet. City officials say they will present a draft of their policy for the program to the city commission. If approved, the technology could start being used later this year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Dayton police plan gunshot detection, drones, plate readers in 3 neighborhoods
Jun. 10—The Dayton Police Department proposes to use controversial gunshot-detection technology, drones and license plate readers to try to reduce crime in several hotspot neighborhoods in west and northwest Dayton. The Dayton Police Department recently was awarded $450,000 in grant funding from the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program. The police department received the second largest award in the state in the latest funding round. An executive summary of the city's application for funding says the grant money will be used to combat crime in the Miami Chapel, North Riverdale and Residence Park neighborhoods, which all saw a significant increase in violent crime last year. Miami Chapel is south of U.S. 35 in West Dayton and includes the DeSoto Bass housing complex. Residence Park is west of Gettysburg Avenue and north of Third Street. North Riverdale is east of Main Street and north of Ridge Avenue. A Dayton Daily News investigation that was published in April found that Miami Chapel, North Riverdale and Residence Park were among the city neighborhoods with the most gun crimes in 2024. The police department's application for funding says these three neighborhoods had 89 gun-related crimes last year, including 30 aggravated robberies and 10 killings and cases of "nonnegligent manslaughter." A project description included in the grant funding application says the police department plans to purchase three Flock gunshot detection systems, 27 license plate reader systems and one Flock safety drone that will serve as a first responder. Police have installed fixed license plate readers in various neighborhoods around the city, and police vehicles also are equipped with the technology, which scans license plates and issues alerts, like if the vehicles are reported stolen. The police department previously used a controversial ShotSpotter gunshot-detection system, but the city decided not renew the contract when it expired at the end of 2022. The project description says gunshot detection technology will help police with rapid response, evidence collection and data analysis to develop targeted interventions. Critics of the technology say it is unreliable and has not been proven to reduce shootings, violence and other crime. Critics say the the technology issues alerts that send officers to locations of alleged gunshots without any other information, which potentially can lead to unnecessary and unjustified pat downs, investigatory stops and arrests. Police say drones as first responders provide aerial surveillance, rapid response and real-time intelligence. This story will be updated.
