Miami Police Plan Citywide Test Of ShotSpotter Today

MIAMI, FL — Don't be alarmed if you hear gunshots on Monday around Miami. The Miami Police Department will be conducting a test of the citywide gunshot detection system. ShotSpotter technology is used by police to determine where gunshots have been fired from. The test is scheduled to run from 2:30 p.m. through 10 p.m.

"The city of Miami Police Department will be conducting a live-fire gunshot event to test the ShotSpotter solution as they conduct a detection qualification and validation analysis before the system is live and operating in the City of Miami," according to Officer Kiara Delva of the Miami Police Department.

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She said that police will be testing the sensor calibrations, quality of detection and making adjustments as needed.

Delva told Patch that police are expecting to receive reports of gunfire from residents.

"We don't want to discourage them from calling," she said. "But we also want them to be aware that this is taking place, so if they continously hear shots throughout the day that they know."

The firearms will be discharged into special bullet traps.

Watch below to learn how ShotSpotter works (video courtesy ShotSpotter)

"The controlled test will consist of a sequence of gunshot sounds followed by validation of quality detection by ShotSpotter," according to Delva. "No bullets will be fired into the air and there is no danger to the public."

ShotSpotter uses a wide-area network of acoustic sensors to determinie when a gun is fired and then quickly pinpoints the location of gunfire. In less than a minute, officers and 9-1-1 dispatchers are notified of fully qualified and validated gunfire incidents, even if no one calls 9-1-1, although the community is always encouraged to report sounds of gunfire, Delva explained.

"The ShotSpotter system is not considered live and operational until the successful completion of the detection qualification and validation event," Delva said.

ShotSpotter helps speed police response, has the potential to save lives, increases weapons-related arrests, and enhances the safety of neighborhoods, according to Miami police.

Photo by Paul Scicchitano