Durham mayor pro-tem holds community conversation with ShotSpotter CEO
The community in Durham came together on Monday night to talk about a possible solution to gun violence.
Posted — UpdatedThe company's technology detects gun shots and notifies police. But not everyone agrees it has positive effects on the community.
Jay Augustine, the senior pastor at St. Joseph, said he doesn't have a stance on ShotSpotter, but does support the community getting information and exploring solutions to gun violence.
"I support information being shared with the community. I support community leaders not only recognizing the problem, but working to solve the problem," said Augustine.
"We are not living in a vacuum. We are part of a larger society, and we want to do our part to be part of solving the problems — not sticking our head in the sand and ignoring them," he said.
ShotSpotter is used in over 100 cities in the United States — from Denver, Colorado, to Rocky Mount. The technology garners praise from some, like Rocky Mount police, who say it helped them solve a deadly shooting earlier this month.
"My biggest concern is putting a target on the wrong people's back," said McDougald Terrace resident council president Ashley Canady.
Canady said McDougald Terrace already has cameras, which could be a way to help verify what ShotSpotter hears.
"I just want it to be done the right way," said Canday.
"It's going to take a lot of training. It's going to take a lot of work, and resources are limited now. They're going to be running out here, chasing gunfire through the machine and that's not going to be able to work when you have other crimes going on in Durham."
But, Canady said some people have become accustomed to gunshots especially if there isn't a victim, which ShotSpotter might help with.
"Some people just don't call anymore because it was a regular occurrence," she said.
Durham City Council approved funding to test it in the year ahead. However, council members have not announced which part of the city ShotSpotter would operate in.
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