Durham leaders discuss controversial ShotSpotter technology at public meeting
ShotSpotter representatives and the Durham Police Department held a Saturday morning forum at the Lyon Park Community and Recreation Center to discuss how the technology will be used in the Bull City.
Posted — UpdatedRepresentatives with ShotSpotter and the Durham Police Department held a forum at the Lyon Park Community and Recreation Center at 1309 Halley St. to discuss how the technology will be used in the Bull City.
ShotSpotter is aimed at reducing gun violence. The technology uses sensors placed on light poles, public buildings and telephone poles to detect and notify police of gunfire.
However, some residents have concerns about surveillance and privacy.
Saturday's forum was intended to help residents learn more about how ShotSpotter technology might fight rising violent crime. Dosali Reed-Bandele showed up because she wanted to know how effective the system really was.
“I really didn’t hear that,” said Reed-Bandele. “I am not against it, I just think we need to hear more.”
She also did not hear from many community members who simply were not at this forum.
“As you can see, it was not as well attended as it should have been,” said Reed-Bandele.
Mindy Solie said that has been a challenge. Solie is a volunteer with Partners Against Crime, serving as a communication link between city leaders and the public.
“When someone is a victim of a crime or some sort of injustice, they need a place where they can share it," said Solie. "And this is the place.
The challenge is getting people back to these places – she said.
“With COVID-19 it really sets us back because we could not meet in public,” said Solie.
Now – she hopes to reestablish lost connections.
Reed-Bandele wonders if more can be done to work around barriers that keep people from attending. She believes it could help authorities learn what is going wrong before shots are fired.
"Why does a young man or a young woman decide to pick up a gun?" asked Reed-Bandele. "Those are the real issues we really need to be talking about.”
Related Topics
• Credits
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.