Rockford police to add more gunshot detectors, license-plate readers

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Police plan to beef up surveillance in the city by adding more automatic license-plate readers and gunshot detection systems on both sides of the Rock River.

The City Council’s Finance and Personnel Committee on Monday voted unanimously to approve a two-year contract with Atlanta-based Flock Safety for four square miles of gunshot detection and 64 license plate readers. The contract includes a six-month free trial period with the option for the city to cancel it if the department isn’t satisfied with the technology. After that, it would cost about $550,000 over the course of two years.

“These are really force multipliers,” Mayor Tom McNamara said. “Those cameras and technology systems don’t come with a pension, but they certainly help all of our amazing men and women in our Rockford Police Department.”

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The gunshot detection systems will cover two square miles on the east side of the river and two square miles on the west side. They will partially overlap with the existing Shotspotter detectors to help the city compare the effectiveness of the two systems.

After the six-month trial period, the city could decide which system to continue to use.

The license-plate readers will be in the area of the gunshot system and fill gaps in the city not currently covered. McNamara said more than 60 mobile and stationary plate readers were previously purchased.

“A combination of gunshot detection and LPR cameras will help officers locate vehicles leaving the area of alerts,” Deputy Chief Robert Reffett said in a memo to aldermen. “The LPR cameras work independently of the gunshot detection, allowing the police department to use them for more than just incidents of detected gunfire. This will assist with more effective location of individuals committing violent crimes.”

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The contract still requires final approval by City Council next week.

“We are a community that’s continually investing in public safety,” McNamara said. “Every single person who lives in our city deserves to be safe, regardless of where they’re at.”

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.