Suggested: ShotSpotter CCTV/Acoustic Devices

December 17, 2010

Mr John Tartaglia, Partner in the MMI Technology Group, and with 14 years Bermuda Police experience, presented a novel and high-tech answer to help deal with the use of guns on the Island. He suggested that a system called ShotSpotter could be employed. Essentially, ShotSpotter is a combination of CCTV cameras coupled to acoustic devices such that there is both sight and sound surveillance, and the surveillance is 24/7.

According to his presentation, cameras would be placed in areas posing the greatest challenge to public safety. ShotSpotter, working in conjunction with the cameras, would pick up the sound or sounds as a single shot or multiple shots are being fired. Activated by the sound, the cameras would immediately swivel and focus on the area. The cameras nearest the place where the sound originated would focus on the space from which the sound came in an attempt to spot the shooter or the activity in the immediate vicinity of the shots.

In real time, the information would be transmitted to the Police Command centre and to a transponder in police cars so that the nearest police car could respond. Working with other cameras in the area, the cameras would also detect and video any persons making speedy exits from the area where the shots were fired.

Referring to the current status of the ShotSpotter system, Mr Tartaglia said that Shot Spotter has already been installed and is in service in several US cities. The Oakland Police Dept reports that in their jurisdiction: “…response to a shooting is now less than one minute.” In jurisdictions where ShotSpotter is in use, it has been very effective in aid in prosecution and obtaining convictions. The FBI has also mentioned its use.

As noted in his presentation, Mr Tartaglia said that one of the strengths of the ShotSpotter system is that human witnesses are often not required. This would help deal with the recognised Bermuda problem of reluctant witnesses. Mr Tartaglia said that Bermuda’s Commissioner of Police, Michael DeSilva, had already had a presentation made to him and the then Permanent Secretary for Public Safety Dr Derek Binns, in August 2010.

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Comments (30)

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  1. Sara says:

    I can’t wait to hear the excuse as to why this isn’t a good idea and why the government can’t do it.

  2. See no evil says:

    Given the number of shootings that happen in front of witnesses without and good identifications (“they were wearing dark visors”), how will some grainy CCTV footage help?

  3. Truth is killin' me says:

    Novel idea…how much!?

  4. 21- Year Old Female says:

    Sounds like a great idea. Now lets make it happen!!

  5. CATCH THOSE CRIMINALS says:

    Good Idea…lets get this crime under control. Those that oppose r probably criminals! Or Cheating spouses lol……

  6. Lifeblood says:

    Gun violence…Bermuda’s 9-11…just the convenient terror we need to turn this island into a miniature United States…a police state. Should we soon expect airport x-rays that scan the human body as well…or did I let the cat out of the bag?

    • Sara says:

      These are the times we live in, if you aren’t breaking the law, nothing to worry about now is there?

      • bermyshotta says:

        @Sara – get ova ya self. so you wanna live in a police state? I don’t think so…

  7. Terry says:

    The system works well with back up. “one minute response”. Bermuda is not Oakland yet.
    Shots fired in Deepdale, St Monicas, Broom Street, York Street. “One minute”.

    The police deal with more traffic accidents than firearms incidents. Their tied up. Only certain sections respond.

    Just another money making venture that will stretch Police resources beyond their limits. We already have CCTV in certain areas. Now we need technoligy to say a gun has been fired and the dudes are riding away on a scooter that was parked/riden away from an area not covered? That would mean every street, alley et al . Good on paper but the owner of MMI…well you fill in the ‘blanks’.

    How come a Bermudian did’nt come up with this. Oh thats right…60/40.
    Bite me.

    • sara says:

      hey terry,

      why aren’t those cameras ever working when a shooting happens in that area?

      • bermyshotta says:

        @Sara – they are lol…but like terry said what ya gonna see when you look at de video? a bunch of guys jumpin on a scooter…running down de street etc, with masks coverin their faces…and grainy footage as well = nothing. sorry

    • sara says:

      Another thing, You are forgetting that in Oakland guns are LEGAL!!!!!
      Big difference, you can’t even begin to compare the two.

      • bermyshotta says:

        @Sara – again…not sure where ya gettin ya info from..but guns are certainly not LEGAL in oakland lmfao, unless you have a liscence or concealed weapons permit, which most people don’t, so ya wrong. Terry was jus tellin you how it really is in Bermy thats all.

        • Arthur Raynor - Atlanta says:

          Hmmmm..so Bermyshotta what you are saying then is that “the guns shops/dealers in Oakland are operating illegally and the police just drive past them everyday and turn a blind eye to them?”
          What a joke!
          Guns/ownership are legal provided you comply with all local, state and federal laws.
          For more info on guns laws state by stae, visit the below web link.
          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_the_United_States_%28by_state%29

          • bermyshotta says:

            @Mr. Raynor – dunno how you got that gunshops/dealers in oakland are operating illegally from what um said in my previous response to Sara. Like I said de first time, if you have a permit then it is LEGAL (complying with what de permit states) but when you don’t have a permit then they are ILLEGAL. You missed de point from what I said….just tellin Sara that they are not LEGAL in Oakland.

            • Arthur Raynor - Atlanta says:

              Sorry for the misunderstanding on both our parts.
              1)I did not say that gun shops are illegal, I was stating that using your reply, then they would be ilegal.
              2) I have not missed any point as you stated. As much as possible, I only deal with ‘facts’. Not all USA states require you to have a permit for gun ownership unlike your last comment made.
              Any person who may legally own a firearm may carry a firearm in their home, place of business, and vehicle WITHOUT a permit. Here in Georgia for example, they do not differentiate between concealed and open carry except that long guns must be carried openly if they are loaded and you do not have a permit.
              I posted a link in my first posting listing the ‘facts’ on gun ownership and carry rules in the USA.
              Again I state for clarification “you do not always require a permit for gun ownership.

              • bermyshotta says:

                @A Raynor – ya no worries. I figured out wat you were sayin. I forgot about Georgia’s(south’s) laws. Used to stay in Savannah so I know all about dat, caught up in everything down there. Misdemeanor if you’re caught with a pistol in GA is what I remember most of de time. I agree with you there…we both just got a little mixed up. bless

            • Sara says:

              My point was in U.S. RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS
              Bermuda = NO RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS

              Of course some places you have to have permit, but guns in general are LEGAL.

              • Arthur - Atlanta says:

                Along with ownership of guns allowed here in the USA, Pepper spray, tear gas, tasers and captor spray (powerful 18% strength) are all allowed for self protection.

                • Sara says:

                  EXACTLY, the most basic form of defense pepper spray is even ILLEGAL in Bermuda. So no, YOU CAN’T compare Bermuda to Compton. It’s apples and oranges. To compare Bermuda, you have to compare it to another place in which it is illegal to bear arms. England perhaps? Perhaps a town similar in size to Bermuda.

    • areUserious? says:

      I agree with it being just another money making venture. Mr. Tartaglia also put the idea of electronic tagging on the table yesterday.. both devices come from the same company of which he is a partner.

      Bermuda is already seriously in debt and I would think that we would need to settle that debt before we think of more ways to spend money that we don’t have.

  8. Terry says:

    Sara, do the reseach. Your talking both sides of mouth here. CCTV is not on every corner.

    Plus, the fools that do it are not gonna do it in an area with this except in desperation and foolish brain lasp as can be seen by the videos of the shootings on Court and Brunswick.

    Plus, they never happen when the PSU are there. Go figure.

  9. White Jesus says:

    step aside humans, you have failed in your duty and now your testimony is no longer needed. ShotSpotter Smith, that’s my neighbor!

  10. Terry says:

    White Jesus…Their here already? Damn…….Time for me to hunker down in my new Condo..Vic/Crt/….

  11. Police says:

    This technology is not new and Mr. Tartaglia was not the first person to raise it before the Parliamentary Crime Committee. The technology is typically used in tight geographic areas – such as a range of city blocks where a high density of firearms incidents have historically occured. Cost is a significant factor and if approved, decisions would have to be made about installing it only in those extremely high risk high incident areas. St. Monica’s, Court Street and Middletown would be favoured to start with. The system automatically alerts 911 dispatchers theoretically reducing response times.

  12. Terry says:

    Thanks Police….dahhhhhhhhhh.

  13. mixitup says:

    Pass Gas to loud you’ll get 12 years in Prison…Hehehe.

  14. Lisa says:

    ShotSpotter is not a new technology, it is used in Washington DC. It only confirms where shots are fired which isn’t the issue in Bermuda. It is also very expensive. I’ll rather see money like that used in hiring more officers.

    • Lineage says:

      Funny how they know full well those CCTV’s are not accurate yet certain people have been locked up and convicted off of these blurry imaged cameras….smh!

      AHH no disrespect Lisa but t’hell if i want my money used for hiring more foreign cops…notice how a ish load of cops migrated over and crime seemed to escalate? I miss Bermuda police…never thought I’d say it but for the experiences i’ve heard of how(some) foreign police go on??? uh uh…no more plz and thx. Not saying its the MAIN effect but ahhh you do the math. I would rather my money be used for rehabilitation centers for the young people that are getting caught up into these crimes. We bring in more police coming from these countries where wearing a gun is a part of the uniform…??? Bermuda is doomed….