Every seven hours, gunshots ring out in the City of Miami. Until a year ago, police only knew about shootings when somebody called 911. Now, they're using new technology that reports gunfire within seconds.
The high-powered microphones are discrete, they could be anywhere and no one knows what they look like, but according to police, they are helping reduce the amount of gunfire plaguing Miami.
Police are now recording and listening to a shooting every time it happens.
A year ago, Miami Police launched ShotSpotter, a gunfire detection program. It uses high-tech audio sensors that are deployed above the street. When a gunshot goes off, a sensor is triggered, alerting police.
"We did see an increase from one year when we weren't using it to now that we do have it. We see anywhere from 200-300 increase," said Det. Jorge Agrait with Miami Police.
Before ShotSpotter, if anybody called 911 after a shooting, it would take 3-5 minutes for information. Now police know in seconds anytime a gun is fired, including almost exactly where it happened, and how many shots.
One recording shows 43 rounds were fired in Little Haiti in October in just 12 seconds. It's the perfect example of the gun problem in Miami.
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Police said things have changed since it implemented ShotSpotter. Stats collected show gunfire steadily dropped during the last six months because police were able to respond quicker and saturate hot spots with their presence.
"Since now we have information on actual locations, now we go knock on doors of the community. Was anybody hurt? Do you have any information on what was going on? Is there anything we can do to help you out?" Det. Agrait explained.
From March to March, police recorded 6,986 shots fired. Not even police know the exact location of the censors, only that they are in Little Haiti, Liberty City and Overtown.
The initial start up cost was $275,000 and maintainance is $175,000 a year.
