Rockford Police Want New Technology To Find Gunmen, Reduce Crime

The crime in Rockford is a subject that everyone wants to see figured out. There now could be some solutions very soon. As WTVO TV has reported, Rockford Police Chief Dan O'Shea is looking for funding to help the police better serve the community and make Rockford safer.

One of those technologies is called  'Shot Spotter'. This is fairly new technology that can have an effect of gun crimes.

According to the website:

"ShotSpotter Flex instantly notifies officers of gunshot crimes in progress with real-time data delivered to dispatch centers, patrol cars and even smart phones. This affordable, subscription-based service enhances officer safety and effectiveness through:

• Real-time access to maps of shooting locations and gunshot audio,
• Actionable intelligence detailing the number of shooters and the number of shots fired,
• Pinpointing precise locations for first responders aiding victims, searching for evidence and interviewing witnesses."

Here is a video that goes into more detail about how the system works. The video is from my hometown of Peoria, who has adopted this technology for a few years now.

There are other items that the chief is looking for, including more cameras and licence plate readers. The other order of business Chief O'Shea would like is to hire 6 more officers. Which would be a great thing for Rockford. All of this has to be approved by the City Council and money will be the determining factor.

I can see the 'Shot Spotter' technology working here in Rockford. When I first moved here, I thought it was already in the area. It has reduced the number of violent gun crimes in Peoria. Anything to make this town a safer place to live is a step in the right direction.