Technologies Improving Law Enforcement Operations

You and I probably don’t see a connection between predicting earthquakes and preventing gun violence. But SoundThinking (formerly ShotSpotter) founder Dr. Bob Showen did. As a mathematician and physicist, Dr. Showen was conducting work at Stanford Research Institute using math to find the epicenters of earthquakes. And like a lot of brilliant people, he had an “aha moment” and realized he could apply those same principles acoustically to detect the sound of gunfire and pinpoint where it came from. He founded what was then ShotSpotter to commercialize this technology innovation, which accurately detects and locates the sound of gunfire in a given area and alerts law enforcement to its precise location. Here’s how it works: 1. Deployment of Sensors: We deploy an array of 20 to 30 sensors per square mile which ignore ambient noise and focus on impulsive sounds like pops, booms, and bangs. The sensors timestamp these impulsive sounds in order to triangulate or pinpoint its precise localization. It also records and preserves the audio for further review and analysis and preservation of potential evidence. 2. Filtering Process: Initially, machine algorithms then filter out non-gunfire events by analyzing waveforms and audio signatures to differentiate between gunfire and other noises like fireworks 3. Incident Review: Then, our Incident Review Center, staffed by trained acoustic experts, reviews the data in real-time. Because guns use a muzzle to direct their energy, the resulting sound has a tell-tale elliptical waveform that our reviewers are able to identify. 4. Accurate Response: ShotSpotter technology provides a qualified and fully vetted alert within 30 to 45 seconds, allowing law enforcement to respond quickly and effectively. In the years since, ShotSpotter has been implemented in over 170 cities across the U.S., and SoundThinking has expanded to other innovative law enforcement solutions in the investigative and patrol management space - and it all stems from Dr. Showen’s innovative application of his research. “Groundbreaking” is a term that gets thrown around a lot in the tech space, but when it comes to using earthquake technology to fight gun violence, there’s no better word for it (other than perhaps Soundbreaking).

Just read an article about how Real Time Crime Centers are transforming law enforcement. Nope, wrong…they aren’t. TECHNOLOGY is transforming law enforcement, crime centers are simply a downstream reaction to that change. Take a medium sized police agency in America, and introduce 100 license plate readers, 100 live cameras at every intersection, gunshot detection that covers the entire area, and a DFR drone program that can respond corner to corner within 120 seconds. That police agency is fundamentally transformed at that point. Calls are being responded to within seconds. Evidence is being gathered that was never gathered before. Crime is dropping to unprecedented levels. Notice I didn’t say anything about an RTCC above. This is the misconception that’s floating around right now, “I have to start with my RTCC to change my agency” Nope, wrong again. An RTCC is a place to be more effective with using the technology that’s transforming a police agency, it’s not the catalyst of the transformation itself. Start with the technology tools if you want to change the way your agency works. #flocksafety #nrtcca #rtcc #realtimepolicing

𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 & 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥-𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐈𝐏 𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 The integration of drones as first responders (#DFR), combined with cutting-edge Internet Protocol (IP) video technology, marks a new era in #publicsafety. This LiveU approach empowers #lawenforcement and #emergencyservices with real-time #situationalawareness, faster response times, and enhanced officer and public safety. - DFR: A Strategic Advantage By deploying Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) ahead of ground teams—especially during large-scale events or active incidents—agencies gain critical visual intelligence before arriving on scene. A key milestone is enabling Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, allowing drones to cover greater distances and deliver what can be called “quantum situational awareness.” LiveU's flagship IP bonded field encoder for Public Safety and #tactical teams is ready to go - simply plug in your video source (drone, security #camera, or crewed/uncrewed vehicle/ HH camera etc), and start transmitting real-time, secure and reliable video into your selected destination - anywhere at anytime Benefits include: - Rapid location of suspects or missing persons - Advanced scene assessment before human arrival - Reduced risk to officers - Smarter allocation of resources Enhancing Surveillance with LiveU IP Video & LiveU Technology is significantly more effective when monitored in real time. According to the UK College of Policing, actively monitored systems are 15% more effective at reducing crime compared to passive systems. By leveraging LiveU's secure IP video transmission platform: - Real-time crime centers and dispatch units gain precise, high-quality video streams - Field personnel receive live intelligence with low-latency and high-reliability, even in challenging environments. Situational awareness becomes immediate and actionable. Key Enablers for Successful Integration To fully realize the benefits of DFR and IP video streaming, agencies must: - Educate the Public: Build trust through transparency and responsible data use - Advocate for Policy Reform: Enable legal pathways for BVLOS and IP-based surveillance - Invest in #Training: Equip personnel to operate and interpret data while respecting privacy The Road Ahead Over the next decade, cities are expected to deploy drone “nests” on rooftops of fire stations and public buildings, creating a responsive, city-wide aerial network. But success will depend on forward-thinking leadership that embraces innovation, invests in emerging technologies like AI and quantum analytics, and fosters a culture of adaptability. - Visionary public safety leaders must stay several steps ahead—not just one—to safeguard communities in a fast-changing world. CBRNE & CT ATLANTIC BRIDGE (CAB) FIFA World Cup 26™ New York New Jersey #uas #drones #firtresponder #cbrn #cbrne

Last month, a drone from Skyfire | AI was credited with saving a police officer’s life after a dramatic 2 a.m. traffic stop. Many statistics show that AI impacts billions of lives, but sometimes a story still hits me emotionally. Let me share what happened. Skyfire AI, an AI Fund portfolio company led by CEO Don Mathis, operates a public safety program in which drones function as first responders to 911 calls. Particularly when a police department is personnel-constrained, drones can save officers’ time while enhancing their situational awareness. For example, many burglar alarms are false alarms, maybe set off by moisture or an animal. Rather than sending a patrol officer to drive over to discover this, a drone can get there faster and determine if an officer is required at all. If the alarm is real, the drone can help officers understand the situation, the locations of any perpetrators, and how best to respond. In January, a Skyfire AI drone was returning to base after responding to a false alarm when the police dispatcher asked us to reroute it to help locate a patrol officer. The officer had radioed a few minutes earlier that he had pulled over a suspicious vehicle and had not been heard from since. The officer had stopped where two major highways intersect in a complex cloverleaf, and dispatch was unsure exactly where they were located. From the air, the drone rapidly located the officer and the driver of the vehicle he had pulled over, who it turned out had escaped from a local detention facility. Neither would have been visible from the road — they were fighting in a drainage ditch below the highway. Because of the complexity of the cloverleaf’s geometry, the watch officer (who coordinates police activities for the shift) later estimated it would have taken 5-7 minutes for an officer in a patrol car to find them. From the aerial footage, it appeared that the officer still had his radio, but was losing the fight and unable to reach it to call for help. Further, it looked like the assailant might gain control of his service weapon and use it against him. This was a dire and dangerous situation. Fortunately, because the drone had pinpointed the location of the officer and his assailant, dispatch was able to direct additional units to assist. The first arrived not in 5-7 minutes but in 45 seconds. Four more units arrived within minutes. The officers were able to take control of the situation and apprehend the driver, resulting in an arrest and, more important, a safe outcome for the officer. Subsequently, the watch officer said we’d probably saved the officer’s life. [Reach length limit; full text: https://lnkd.in/g3QdKp5Q ]

Gunshot detection technology is more than just a sensor—it’s a lifeline. In many communities, this technology plays a critical role in alerting law enforcement to potential gunfire, especially in cases where no 911 call is ever made. It enables officers to respond quickly, investigate thoroughly, and—most importantly—save lives. In Chicago where ShotSpotter were once active, 50 individuals have been found shot after the technology was dismantled, of those 23 died of their wounds. These are often cases where no one reported hearing gunfire, or where the location of the incident was too vague to prompt a timely response. The reality is stark: victims who are unable to call for help rely on tools like this to speak for them. When every second counts, automated alerts can mean the difference between life and death. Yes, there’s a cost. But when weighed against the lives saved and crimes prevented, the investment is not only justified—it’s essential. Gunshot detection shouldn’t be a political issue. While it’s not a cure-all for gun violence, it remains a powerful tool in the broader effort to protect our communities, especially (in Brandon Johnsons words) Black and Brown neighborhoods . Watch my powerful conversation with Pastor Corey Brooks as we delve into building trust in high-crime neighborhoods, confronting the harsh realities of violence in Black communities, and crafting smarter, safer strategies for policing the streets of Chicago. https://lnkd.in/gScqPjVF Let’s focus on what matters: saving lives and making neighborhoods safer. #saferstreets #policetools #Wearingthebadge #fox32chicago McCarthy Byrnes