AI Gunshot-Detection Accuracy: The Mystery Unraveled

### Gunshot Detection Technology in​ San Jose: A Closer Look

#### Community Noise and Safety ⁤Concerns

Liz González’s neighborhood in East San Jose is often noisy, with loud cars, frequent fireworks, and occasional gunshots. This ‍environment has led to the implementation of new technology ⁢aimed‍ at improving safety.

#### Introduction of AI-Powered Gunshot Detection

In February 2023, San Jose began testing AI-powered gunshot detection technology from [Flock Safety](https://www.flocksafety.com/) in several areas, including González’s neighborhood.​ During the first four months, the system alerted‍ police​ to 123 shooting incidents.

#### Research Findings on Gunshot Detection

#####‌ Faster Police Response

Studies, including those by Eric Piza, have shown‍ that police respond faster to shooting incidents when alerted⁣ by automated gunshot detection ⁣systems compared to traditional 911 calls. This includes stopping closer to the scene and collecting more ballistic evidence.

“If you look at the different goals of the system, research shows that⁣ [gunshot detection technology] typically tends to result⁤ in quicker⁤ police response times,” ‌Piza says. “But research consistently has shown that gun violence victimization doesn’t reduce after gunshot detection technology has been introduced.”

##### False Positives and Unfounded⁢ Reports

In [another study](https://ericpiza.net/2023/11/22/gdt-kc-closure/) in Kansas City, Piza found ⁣that reports of shots fired ​in areas with gunshot sensors were 15 percent more likely to​ be classified as unfounded compared to areas ‌without the systems.

#### Evaluations and Recommendations

##### New York City Comptroller’s ⁢Recommendation

The New York ​City comptroller advised the NYPD to conduct a thorough performance evaluation before renewing its $22 million contract with [SoundThinking](https://www.soundthinking.com/). The NYPD responded that discontinuing ShotSpotter services could endanger ⁤the public.

##### San Jose’s Digital Privacy Office Report

San Jose’s Digital‌ Privacy Office suggested that⁣ the police department should continue to improve the accuracy of the Raven system if it plans to keep using it. Only 6 ​percent of confirmed gunshots detected by the system were reported to police ‍via 911 ​calls or other means.

#### Community and Police Perspectives

##### Police Department’s Stance

Sergeant Jorge Garibay from the SJPD ⁤stated that the system is useful for ⁣providing supplementary ‌evidence for violent gun crimes. The goal is to⁣ solve more crimes and increase apprehension efforts, ‌ideally leading to a reduction in gun violence.

##### ⁤Community Concerns

Darcie ⁣Green, a community health advocate, emphasized the need to evaluate whether the technology is​ making ⁢the city safer or if resources could be⁢ better spent elsewhere. She advocates for more investment in programming and community ⁣improvement rather than enforcement⁢ and punishment.

“Obviously we ⁢want to reduce​ gun violence, that’s everybody’s goal,”‍ she says. “For these dollars⁢ that we’re spending on⁣ enforcement and punishment, we should be spending three-, four-, fivefold on programming and improvement. There are so many‍ people ‍for whom calling the police is not a solution.”

##### Trust Issues with Police

González, a community organizer, highlighted the lack of 911 ​calls about shootings as a sign of the community’s distrust in police responses. She shared a personal experience where ‌she chose‌ not to call ⁤the police during a potentially⁢ dangerous situation due to ‌fear of being mistaken for a suspect.

“There was ​a time when a helicopter was searching for somebody in our neighborhood, and I could ⁣swear‌ that⁣ they were in my backyard, ⁢but I didn’t ‍want to call the police because potentially they could shoot me or​ my family mistaking‍ me for that person,” ⁣she says. ⁢”I would rather have the person in my backyard than the police looking for them.”