Gunfire Detection System Enhancement Project

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program (Byrne Discretionary Program) helps local communities improve the capacity of local justice systems and provides for national support efforts. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 08 Congressional Budget. Funds should be used for purposes recommended by Congress.

The City of Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) will support and expand its Gunfire Detection System. The Gunfire Detection System uses wireless sensors, approximately eight sensors per square mile, to detect gunfire. MPD will purchase new mobile data computers (MDCs) to be installed with all the computer speed and memory to not only manage all of the current law enforcement software applications but also include the capability to receive real-time transmissions from the police department's Gunfire Detection System. The new MDCs will have the capacity to accept direct input from the Gunfire Detection System without having to go through the MECC for dispatch. Thus patrol officers will hear the gunfire detection system transmission, make the determination not only whether it is gunfire, but judge the gun type. This means that the response time will be greatly reduced because the squad can self-dispatch as the Gunfire Detection System notification comes through. The likelihood of apprehending the shooter at the scene is better with this increase in efficiency. Safety will be improved by increasing officer knowledge about the type of response and need for backup squads.

NCA/NCF