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Dover Police Reject High Tech Gun Shot Detector

ShotSpotter

It’s something that might be out of a science fiction novel.

The technology is called ShotSpotter and can detect and locate the sound of a gunshot within a few feet.

It then sends a signal to authorities.

But the Wilmington News Journal reports that the Dover police department says at a price tag of nearly $200-thousand a year it’s just not worth it.

Instead, Police Major Marvin Maily told the city council the funds would be better spent on its officers, cameras, equipment and training.

The town considered the ShotSpotter after the ninth shooting this year in the town and the third this month.

On August 18th 25 year old Emmett Brown was shot and killed.

The News Journal reports that Wilmington has used the technology reporting fewer gunshots in this year.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.