Key Takeaways
- The ShotSpotter detection system uses acoustic sensor microphones to identify and locate gunfire, notifying police within 60 seconds.
- The Utica Police Department has made 13 arrests stemming from ShotSpotter alerts in 2025.
- The system has sent out 88 alerts, with 65 confirmed as gunfire, and 23 reclassified as "not gunfire".
- The majority of false alarms were caused by cars backfiring or fireworks.
- Utica Police Chief Mark Williams praises the technology, stating it has helped drive down gun violence stats in the city.
Introduction to ShotSpotter
The gunshot detection system, ShotSpotter, has been deployed across the city of Utica for over a year. The system uses acoustic sensor microphones placed in designated areas to identify and locate gunfire, notifying police within 60 seconds. Utica Police Chief Mark Williams has reflected on the department’s use of the system, praising the new technology and the help it has given the department. According to Williams, the system has been instrumental in identifying shots fired incidents that may not have been reported by the community.
The Need for ShotSpotter
Williams noted that there are often shots fired incidents in the city of Utica that are not being called in by the community. This can be due to a variety of reasons, including fear of getting involved or living in high gun-prone areas where residents may not bother to call the police. As a result, the police department was missing out on these types of calls, and without knowledge of the incidents, they were unable to respond. The ShotSpotter system has helped to fill this gap, providing the department with instant notification of shots fired, allowing them to respond quickly and effectively.
ShotSpotter Statistics
Over the course of 2025, from January 1 to December 16, ShotSpotter sent out 88 alerts, with 23 of those alerts being reclassified as "not gunfire" – leaving 65 confirmed alerts. Williams stated that the majority of the 23 false alarms were either cars backfiring or fireworks. Despite these false alarms, the system has been successful in helping the police department make arrests and locate shell casings. In fact, the Utica Police Department has made 13 arrests stemming from ShotSpotter alerts in 2025.
Success Stories
Williams shared a success story shortly after the installation of ShotSpotter in Utica, where a notification went out, leading to an officer responding to the scene shortly after it happened. As a result of the investigation, the police department made an arrest on a shots fired incident that was never called in by the public. They were also able to locate the gun and shell casings. Williams emphasized that ShotSpotter is just one of many strategies the Utica Police Department uses to drive down gun violence stats.
Impact on Gun Violence
According to Williams, gun violence in the city of Utica has gone down since the COVID-19 pandemic, and continues to decrease. In 2024, Utica had six gun homicides, while in 2025, the city had three gun homicides. Williams attributes this decrease, in part, to the effectiveness of the ShotSpotter system. The technology has helped the police department respond quickly and effectively to shots fired incidents, making arrests and locating evidence. As Williams noted, the ShotSpotter system is a valuable tool in the department’s efforts to reduce gun violence in the city.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ShotSpotter detection system has been a valuable addition to the Utica Police Department’s efforts to reduce gun violence in the city. The system’s ability to quickly and accurately identify and locate gunfire has helped the department respond to incidents that may not have been reported by the community. With 13 arrests made stemming from ShotSpotter alerts in 2025, the system has proven to be an effective tool in helping to drive down gun violence stats in the city. As Williams stated, ShotSpotter is just one of many strategies the Utica Police Department uses to address gun violence, but its impact has been significant, and its continued use will likely be an important part of the department’s efforts to keep the city safe.