Lancaster, CA has beefed up its public safety game with a high-tech gunshot detection system, and it’s paying off. Two weeks into the debut of ShotSpotter, the streets of Lancaster are already seeing the impact. Rolling out earlier this month, the system is the police department’s latest weapon in the fight against crime, with Mayor R. Rex Parris touting its success, according to a city news release.

Having deployed ShotSpotter as part of a half-year pilot and a longer three-year deal with SoundThinking, Inc., the system can pinpoint gunshots and buzz the cops in seconds. Despite being up and running for just a short time, it’s racked up 36 real-deal alerts on shots fired, leading to arrests and evidence collars that were critical, as reported by city officials.

"I am proud to say that the deployment of ShotSpotter has been nothing short of exceptional," Mayor Parris declared in a statement obtained by the city's own press arm. The tech, combined with the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), a tool that tracks guns through their shell casings, has been cracking the whip on drug rings and gang shenanigans.

According to the city’s press info, Chief of Police Rodrick Armalin has been singing the praises of both ShotSpotter and NIBIN, saying, "ShotSpotter and NIBIN have revolutionized law enforcement capabilities." The tech has been a game-changer for the Lancaster force, outfitting officers with cutting-edge gear to keep the peace in a community counting 170,000 heads strong.

For those wanting the nitty gritty, the Lancaster Police Department welcomes inquiries at [email protected] or a peek at their website. Lancaster, hailed for its dynamic mix of tech-savvy rocket types, fresh air, and cultural hubs, is clearly on the up and up when it comes to innovating public safety.