Understanding the Efficacy of an Acoustic Gunshot Detection System in a Large, Western City

• In Event: The Efficacy of Gunshot Detection Systems in U.S. Cities

Abstract

Acoustic gunshot detection systems have been proposed as a response to gun violence in many U.S. cities. Because these systems are designed to precisely locate gunshots and alert police in real-time, they may improve police response times, the founding of shooting incidents, evidence collection, and even case clearances. However, the efficacy of gunshot detection systems still largely remains unknown. This presentation will overview a quasi-experimental evaluation of a leading gunshot detection system in a large, Western city. Using various approaches for improving the estimate of causal effects with non-experimental data, we compare police response times and the likelihood of a founded crime incident, collection of a shell casing, and arrest for gunshots reported by citizens, acoustic gunshot detection, and both in areas of the city that did and did not experience implementation. The results suggest acoustic gunshot detection leads to a higher likelihood of incident founding and shell casing collection, but does not link to higher likelihood of an arrest in this large, Western city. The policy implications of the results will be discussed.

Authors

• Cory P. Haberman, University of Cincinnati

• Bradley Joseph O'Guinn, University of Cincinnati

• Ian A. Silver, Rowan University

• Andrew P. Wheeler, Gainwell & Georgia State University

• Christopher J. Sullivan, University of Missouri - St. Louis