Salinas, CA -- The Salinas Police Department has recently teamed with ShotSpotter Technologies to help detect gunshots fired within various locations throughout the City of Salinas. ShotSpotter uses a network of sensors to detect when a gun is fired and pinpoint the location. According to the manufacturer:

Within minutes, police are able to send officers to a potential shooting scene, even if no one calls 911. ShotSpotter picks up the sound from gunshots on multiple sensors and triangulates the location of the gunfire in live time. By quickly notifying police, ShotSpotter helps speed police response, has the potential to save lives, increases weapons-related arrests, and enhances the safety of our neighborhoods.

Even with ShotSpotter in place, the community is always encouraged to report sounds of gunfire.

A ShotSpotter employee along with members of the Salinas Police Department will be conducting live fire calibration testing on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 14. In a few selected areas of the city, there will be controlled gunfire as part of the detection qualification validation. The testing will be completed by 11 p.m.

For security reasons the locations of the test fire shall not be disclosed. There will be no danger to the community.

This is expected to be the final test before the ShotSpotter system goes live. Salinas Police will evaluate the results of the testing and, once the system is approved, will advise the community when the system is in use.

Three years of use of the ShotSpotter system is being paid for by a $1.5 million portion of a $5.5 million State of California public safety grant received by the City in August. At the end of three years, the City will evaluate the success of the system and decide whether to continue using it.

For inquiries about ShotSpotter and this Wednesday's testing, contact:

Commander Mike Groves
831-758-7123
mikegr@ci.salinas.ca.us

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