PITTSBURGH — It's a brand new, high-tech crime-fighting tool. We've told you about 'Shotspotter,' and how it's being tested in some Pittsburgh neighborhoods where the sound of gunfire is all too common.
From Homewood to Garfield, there are 36 microphones placed in secret locations and covering 3 square miles. These microphones are waiting for the sound of gunfire.
"No pun intended, it's no longer a shot in the dark," said Cmdr. Rashall Brackney.
The city began using it just last month.
Here's how it works.
Shots are fired.
The device picks up the sound and sends it to a computer in California.
The computer analyzes the sound, makes sure it's a gunshot and then pinpoints the exact location of the sound within 25 feet. It even determines the type of weapon used.
In less than a minute, that information is relayed to a computer at the Zone 5 headquarters in East Liberty, where a dispatcher then provides that information to the officer in the field.
"Before, some people would not call believing others were calling or some were apathetic or afraid. And our officers would then go into the area blind not knowing exactly where this incident happened at," said Cmdr. Tim O'Connor.
The system is being put to the test in several east end neighborhoods that have seen their share of gun violence.
Residents here tell me they support anything that will stop the violence.
"I don't think their presence riding through Homewood stops the violence but that may help it. More people getting caught, more people will stop," said Homewood Resident Farren Mason.
And Target 11 discovered it's already having an impact.
Last month, it led to the arrest of a woman firing a gun, and the discovery of shell casings in two other shootings. It also pinpointed multiple gunshots in several Homewood locations.
But it's not perfect.
Shotspotter failed to detect actual gunshots during a deadly shooting at the intersection of Homewood and Frankstown avenues.
"They thought it was construction. The exact same time a bus was going past so these can be ... they can be accurate but they can also be distorted," said Brackney.
Right now the system relies solely on those microphones to pick up the gunshots, but police tell me eventually they hope to install cameras in those areas so they can get a better picture of who is firing the shots.