The Peoria City Council unanimously approved expanding special law enforcement technology this spring. Peoria Public Radio’s Alex Rusciano reports:
The Peoria Police Department already has the ShotSpotter program, that uses sensors to automatically detect gunfire on the south end of town. The Council unanimously approved expanding the technology by three-square-miles in the East Bluff, Central Bluff and North Valley. Peoria Police Chief Jerry Mitchell says the Shotspotter expansion is needed in the bluff areas:
“42-percent of all reported 911 shots-fired calls came from that district.”
Mitchell says the technology led to 19 arrests and removing 34 weapons off the street last year.The deal lasts three years, costing $459,000. The City Council is also hosting public budget meetings starting in April and broken-down by department. It’s part of an effort to boost public involvement in the process.