ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Chief of Police with a Request to APPROVE the Annual Subscription CONTRACT with SHOTSPOTTER, INC. (SST INC), for ShotSpotter Flex, a Gunfire Location, Alert, and Analysis Service.
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BACKGROUND: ShotSpotter technology is a part of the Police Departments strategy in reducing gun violence. The alerts provided by ShotSpotter initiates a response by our Officers shortly after the possible gunfire is detected. Our Officers have found gunshot victims, suspects, guns, shell casings, and witnesses due to the quick notifications from ShotSpotter and the timely responses by our Officers. Evidence collected allows our Officers to utilize other technologies and investigative tools like NIBIN. NIBIN allows us to match the shell casings found at one crime scene to another in instances where the same gun was used at multiple locations. This allows our Officers to link suspects and/or groups to other crime scenes and shooting incidents. The protocol of taking casings located on ShotSpotter alerts and entering them into NIBIN was essential in a several month Federal investigation. Members of the Peoria Police Department partnered with members from the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and conducted a long-term investigation on one of Peoria’s most violent street gangs, the Bomb Squad. After a two-month trial, all 13 defendants were found guilty on Federal RICO charges as well as other firearms and narcotics charges. Without ShotSpotter, parts of this case would have been much more difficult to prove.
ShotSpotter technology is utilized in two areas of the City. The total coverage area is 6 square miles. There are 2 coverage areas of 3 square miles each, Phase 1 and Phase 2. Phase 1 is located in southwest Peoria (portions of council districts 1 and 2), implemented in 2013. Phase 2 is located in Central Peoria (portions of council districts 1, 2, and 3), implemented in 2015.
The Police Department has responded to 1,034 ShotSpotter alerts from January 1, 2019 through February 28, 2020. During this time period there have been 88 shooting incidents (79.1% - 67 incidents with a ShotSpotter alert). During the shooting incidents, we have had 102 shooting victims (62.7% - 64 victims with a ShotSpotter alert). Of the 102 shooting victims we have had 19 shooting murders (73.6% - 14 victims with a ShotSpotter alert). During the 1,034 ShotSpotter alerts, Officers seized 18 guns from an arrested individual, interviewed 30 suspects, arrested 21 suspects, and had 107 reports of property damage from a ShotSpotter alert.
**Shots fired will most likely not be sensed by ShotSpotter if the shot is fired indoors or from inside of a vehicle. Only the areas zoned by ShotSpotter sensors will sense when a shot is fired.**
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The cost of the renewal, $286,650.00 will be paid from account # 101-2133-561-3099. This account has been used to pay the annual renewal costs for ShotSpotter Inc. since 2016, after the expiration of the initial 3-year contract period of 2013 through 2016. Staff has negotiated with ShotSpotter Inc. to only increase our cost by 5% for 2020 with no additional increase the second and third year of the new contract. The contract renewal will modify the subscription renewal end date to May 19, 2023 for both Phase 1 and Phase 2.
The contract renewal shall be for services delivered according to the terms and conditions contained in the ShotSpotter Flex Services Agreement (#PEORIAILF08212013) dated August 27, 2013, and Amendment One of the agreements, effective upon acceptance. The Phase 1 coverage area, a 3 square mile area - southwest Peoria, and the Phase 2 coverage area, a 3 square mile area - central Peoria, over a period of May 20, 2020 through May 19, 2023, in the amount of $286,650.00 per year for each of those years. (quote # PEORIAIL021820).
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Continuing the implementation of gunfire location technology benefits the community by increasing public safety, reducing gunfire, reducing gun violence, and increasing the likelihood of the identification and arrest of individuals perpetrating gun crimes.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The Police Department will continue to provide the necessary technology required for today’s modern police environment.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The Police Department would face the likelihood of losing critical gunshot evidence at crime scenes, increased response times to shots fired calls, the potential for increased response times of emergency personnel for victims of gunfire, and decreased officer safety for emergency personnel responding to gunfire calls.
ALTERNATIVES: None
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: 03222-200630
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2017 - 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Safe Peoria
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Reduce crime.
DEPARTMENT: Police