COATESVILLE, PA — The City of Coatesville—in partnership with the City of Coatesville Police Department, the Chester County District Attorney’s Office, Office of State Representative Dan Williams, and Coatesville City Council—announces the adoption of ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system that locates gunfire incidents in seconds for rapid and precise response by police officers.
Used successfully in more than 180 cities nationwide, ShotSpotter technology shortens the average dispatch time from an average of 4.5 minutes to just 60 seconds or less. This rapid response helps police identify offenders more quickly and—if someone is struck by gunfire—gives officers a better chance to save someone’s life. Nationwide, approximately 80% of gunfire incidents go unreported to 9-1-1. Now, by identifying incidents of gunfire that might otherwise go unreported, officers can recover critical evidence and generate intelligence that helps them more effectively address gun violence in their community.
“In an event of a shooting, minutes make the difference,” says Coatesville Police Chief, Jack Laufer. “Rapid response saves lives and disrupts the gun violence cycle. ShotSpotter not only provides information to officers faster than traditional call-in methods, but it also pinpoints the location where shots were fired within 82-foot accuracy. That enables officers to respond immediately to the exact location of a crime scene, find and support possible victims, locate critical evidence, and improve chances of apprehending criminals. Over time, the cumulative data can help the City better identify where incidents occur and provide support and mediation where it is most needed.”
“Community safety remains at the forefront of our efforts to provide a secure quality of life for everyone,” says Coatesville City Manager, James Logan. “ShotSpotter is a true investment in our city that supports a narrative of protection, presence and purpose in our law enforcement activity. We appreciate the spirit of collaboration to provide our law-enforcement officers with the newest and most impactful tools that will support their efforts to reduce gun-related crime in the City. Their hard work is strengthening the City of Coatesville by creating a more secure community where everyone feels safe, connected, and welcome.”
“I am proud to invest in ShotSpotter with City leadership because the citizens of Coatesville deserve access to technology that enhances public safety,” says Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe. “When paired with other investigative tools, we can identify and break cycles of violence and shootings. Simply put, we are doing everything we can to end gun violence in Coatesville.”
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