COLUMBUS (WCMH) – Columbus’ ShotSpotter system has been expanded to include the city’s Middle East.
In a press release on Wednesday, the office of Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said the gunshot detection system activated at 3 p.m. and covers three square miles.
“ShotSpotter technology has given the community an additional weapon in the fight against violent crime,” said Ned Pettus, Jr., director of public safety for Columbus.
The Hilltop gas station shooting marks the 99th Columbus murder in 2021
ShotSpotter technology uses acoustic sensors to detect shots. An alarm is then sent directly to the neighborhood police officers, showing the exact location of the shooting.
“ShotSpotter allows officers to respond to gunfire before 911 is called, and even without 911 calls,” said Columbus deputy police chief Richard Bash. “This has enabled officers to locate victims and provide assistance faster, and ultimately helps us make more arrests to get violent offenders off the streets.”
With the addition of Near East, ShotSpotter now covers 12 square miles of Columbus, including the Hilltop, Linden and South Side neighborhoods.
