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 Linda Thomas
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Spy technology could trace Seattle gunfire

June 5, 2012 @ 6:04 pm (Updated: 2:31 am - 6/6/12 )

CafeRacer One week after a gunman shot six people in Seattle, killing five of them before turning the gun on himself, police leaders will go before the Seattle City Council to discuss what they're doing to control gun violence.

Since the beginning of the year, there have been 21 homicides in Seattle.

Seattle Chief John Diaz, Deputy Chief Nick Metz, and other top brass will brief the council about the police and fire department's response to the recent shootings.

What if police could be notified of a gun going off somewhere in the city, seconds after it's fired? Technology that makes that possible has caught the attention of Councilman Bruce Harrell.

"ShotSpotter" is an audio monitoring system developed by a California-based company, SST Inc .

The company sets up microphones in targeted areas of a city. When an audio source picks up gunfire, police get "instant analysis" of the number of shots fired, shooter position, speed and direction of travel if the shooter is moving, and the exact time of gunfire, according to the company's sales documents.

In other words, a gun goes off, microphones here it, pinpoints where the shot came from, officers rush to the scene, make an arrest, and there's one more gun off the street. At least that's how their perfect scenario goes.

The system has been installed in Oakland, where police say it recorded 2,000 of instances of gun fire and helped them get 340 guns off the streets. Wired magazine first reported on ShotSpotter in 2007. Since then, the company says the system has been installed in 60 cities.

SST Inc. offers a yearly plan that includes set up, training and monitoring at a cost between $40,000 and $60,000 per square mile.

Privacy and civil rights activists, who have been concerned about video cameras, would likely have a problem with audio monitoring. The company says the system of microphones does not pick up or record human conversations.

At Wednesday afternoon's city council meeting (agenda) members of Washington Ceasefire and a number of religious leaders will suggest an anti-violence program for Seattle that involves mentoring and gang outreach.

There is no indication that the man who murdered five people in Seattle before killing himself, Ian Stawicki, had any connection to gangs. His family members say he was mentally unstable, and they feared something like this might happen.

Memorial

MemorialGlass

 

CafeMemorial

Flowers, artwork, and notes outside the still-closed Cafe Racer at 5828 Roosevelt Way in Seattle

Related:

Cafe Racer survivor describes massacre

Weak gun laws blamed for Seattle violence

Despite violence, Seattle is a 'great city'

Photos, story By LINDA THOMAS

More from Linda Thomas

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Comments (36)


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  • adiru wrote...
    I don't have a problem with it
    June 6, 2012 5:03 am
    What I do have a problem with is how the story is written. We all know that there are numerous gangs in the Oakland area and according to the article, "...installed in Oakland, where police say it recorded 2,000 of instances of gun fire and helped them get 340 guns off the streets." Per this article, putting gangbangers off the street is not as important as getting their guns off the street. The bangers are back on the street continuing their mayhem. Whether in CA or WA, if they're illegal, incarcerate them and then send their sorry butts back to where they came from.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    adiru
    June 6, 2012 7:11 am
    ASk yourself this question.How did Oakland PD determine that because of this system 340 guns were taken off the streets?Remember Police Departments can't resist new toys they will jump in bed with anyone with a gadget that will increase the Police budget because with money comes POWER.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cash wrote...
    Bruce Harrell
    June 6, 2012 5:48 am
    is a self absorbed, knee jerk reacting, windbag and I don't want to have anything to do with anything that catches his attention. I fully agree with you on this one AJ; nicely stated!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    full scale revolt . . . .
    June 6, 2012 6:12 am
    lead the way.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Seattle is a cesspool wrote...
    Big Borther on the move...
    June 6, 2012 6:24 am
    And the three morning morons likely approve of this.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    Sounds like a George Orwell "1984" kinda move
    June 6, 2012 6:41 am
    I'm going to stay consistant and say, not a good idea if it means more government. You can stop the bleeding by getting children away from unfit parents, instead of giving unfit parents money.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    This is funny just a day or so KIRO was telling us how great Seattle was,
    June 6, 2012 7:03 am
    As long as you don't mind the riots, shootings, microphones listening, the roads you pay for but you can't drive on for the sake of the bike nazis, the pan handlers, the high taxes, the limited parking....but hey, they got a space needle, gay parade and trolley!
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  • messiah101 wrote...
    If anyone doesn't believe that
    June 6, 2012 7:17 am
    These microphones and cameras won't be used to peek in windows,check license plates, do photo IDs of people and listen in to private conversations then that person is extremly naive.What if a Mayor wants to keep checks on a political rival,a few cameras will help you with that,how about political rallies? We can picture ID people and get license numbers from their vehicles.Whats next installing monitors on every person to record their every day activities perhaps?I waiting to hear a response from the "if you have nothing to hide" crowd
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  • xplanes wrote...
    adiru stole my thunder
    June 6, 2012 7:23 am
    The first thing that popped out at me was the focus on removing guns and not even one word about the number of arrests or prosecutions. I have no problem with this being done where there is no legal reason to fire a gun except for self defense. No problem at all. I am very disappointed though not surprised that the people pushing this seem to be focused on the wrong things. Those under aged gang bangers are catch and release so I guess the cops just want their guns. They should be in prison for 5-7 years for firing off a gun in the city. Just saying nothing will change if they spend the money on this program.
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  • RonJ wrote...
    xplaneas
    June 6, 2012 11:04 am
    One does not need a reason or permission to fire a gun unless it is prohibited by local ordnance.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Dulce_Periculum wrote...
    A reminder -
    June 6, 2012 8:18 am
    Remember - regardless of the technology - When seconds count, the cops/help will still be minutes away. Protect yourself.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    This technology is used in Iraq and Afghanistan.
    June 6, 2012 9:02 am
    Nothing wrong with it , just probably not enough gunfire to warrant the expense. Doe's anyone remember the million dollar toilets.Liberal's think throwing money at a problem will solve it.To have it be REALLY effective microphones will be in buildings..............
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • RonJ wrote...
    "More guns off the street"
    June 6, 2012 9:25 am
    does not mean there will be a corresponding reduction in violence. Where does this silly notion come from? There is almost an unlimited supply of guns, as well as knives, axes, ice picks etc. Get my point? My neighborhood is full of guns yet we don't have any violence. Why? Seattle (and a lot of other places) is full of drug-addicted reprobates that are the product of generations of single family "homes". They have no respect for anything or anyone, no hope, no ambition beyond their next high. The government for decades has encouraged unwed, single women to breed as much as they can, paying them for every fetus that pops out of their womb. Our streets, hospitals and morgues are littered with the result. The SpotShotter system, if installed, will be another reaction, not a solution. Sure, the police will arrive a few minutes earlier, and maybe get "one more gun" off the street. Some people might even be made to feel safer by this. The Seattle PD is certainly interested in making you feel safer if only to justify their existence and take your mind away from the fact that they really aren't doing anything to prevent this violence, only reacting to it. What they need in the short term is a Gang Suppression Unit and yes it can be done without violating civil rights, and in the long term a change in social policy that encourages people to become responsible members of society, not gang banger breeders.
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