NYPD Now Has Ears To Go With Eyes in the Sky

With shootings up so far this year, the NYPD is testing a gunshot detection system called ShotSpotter.

The city is installing 300 audio sensors in 17 precincts across the Bronx and Brooklyn. When three sensors hear gunfire, the system triangulates the location and alerts police. The system will be tied to other surveillance systems, providing officers with nearby camera footage.

On Saturday, the system — which was still being tested — detected three gunshots two minutes before the department received a 911 call about the shooting. Sometimes gunshots are never reported, police officials said.

Gunshot detection systems have a spotty record. The NYPD tried similar technology in 2011 but too many alerts turned out to be bogus. Police officials said the technology has improved. Now, three sensors have to detect a gunshot instead of one, and the alert goes to a trained team at ShotSpotters before making it to police to cut down on false gunfire reports.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said the $1.5 million price tag for the year-long pilot is an investment in public safety.

"It's going to send a message out over communities that if you fire a weapon the police are going to know instantly so there's going to be a deterrent effect," he said.

 Police Commissioner William Bratton was on the board of SST Inc., the maker of ShotSpotter. He left the board before coming back to the NYPD.