ShotSpotter expanded into North End of Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Police in Springfield have expanded their technology to curb crime in the North End.

Bystander Psychology is when people don't report a crime because they may assume others will do it. Now, Springfield police have more resources to catch criminals in case that happens.

Springfield Police highlighted their expanded “ShotSpotter” system Thursday.  They played real gunshots recorded from a shooting near 14 Cleveland Street in Springfield.

There were no 911 calls that night but because of the new ShotSpotter in the North End, police were able to react quickly.

They presented a map of the more than 200 shots it picked up just since January. 

Some of those reports came from properties managed by Lisa Gagne’s rental company. “A couple of the examples he gave were from our property so there have been some shooting, people haven't been hit directly but they have been able to catch them so from this it has been very helpful,” said Gagne from Pynchon Edgewater Apartments.

Several businesses in the North End came together to raise the $120,000 needed for the expanded system.

Now if a gun is fired, police will be able to know where that gun went off within 25 meters and property managers around here say it has already started to bring some extra security.

The ShotSpotter System has been in Springfield for four years but this is an expansion that is already getting results. “The concerns are going to be there but not as much, if you see the data on crime now in the North End it has declined,” said Maria Perez from the North End of Springfield.

By getting to the locations faster, police say they have taken more guns off the street  and made more arrests.

The hope is also that this technology will deter any violence from occurring in the City of Springfield.