Police departments nationwide are constantly searching for innovative solutions to combat rising crime rates with limited staff and resources. Whitehall Police Department (PD) in Whitehall, Ohio, is no exception.

Whitehall PD has been utilizing Flock Safety Falcon® license plate reading (LPR) cameras in their community for nearly a year. These cameras have played a crucial role in recovering stolen vehicles, seizing firearms, and apprehending violent offenders. Recognizing the remarkable return on investment and crime-solving capabilities of the Flock Safety network, Whitehall PD made the decision to implement Flock Safety's Raven® audio detection devices. This strategic move led to yet another triumph in under 48 hours post-implementation.

Problem: Preventing and solving gun crime with limited tools.

Similar to many other communities, Whitehall wanted a way to maintain low crime rates and keep their community safe from gun violence. Local law enforcement wanted a proactive solution to enhance their response to firearms-related incidents. Whitehall Police Department turned to Flock Safety for a scalable solution that seamlessly integrates with their existing Falcon camera network. Consequently, they chose to install Flock Safety's Raven® audio detection devices across a square mile of their city where gun-related incidents were most prevalent.

Solution: Scalable gunshot detection for real-time evidence.

Raven promptly alerts officers to gun-related incidents in 60 seconds or less and directs them to the source within a proximity of 90 feet. This enables officers to respond swiftly and precisely, preserving crucial evidence, assisting victims, and apprehending suspects. Unlike traditional gunshot detection systems that only alert officers of a gunshot occurrence, Raven works in conjunction with Flock Safety Falcon® LPR and live video in the area, allowing officers to virtually reconstruct the crime scene, identify potential suspect leads, and solve gun-related crimes with increased speed.

The Power of Real-Time Alerts: Preventing Harm Before 911 is Called

The gunshot sensors installed in Whitehall have undeniably demonstrated their worth by providing near-immediate alerts to 911 dispatchers within 60 seconds of shots fired. Within a mere 48 hours of installation, law enforcement received an alert regarding a woman discharging a firearm during a domestic situation. This early notification enabled officers to rapidly arrive at the scene, averting potential harm and successful apprehension of the suspect. Whitehall PD Deputy Chief Kelso highlighted the device's effectiveness, stating, "We detected that shot long before we got calls from neighbors or anyone else."

“We detected that shot long
before we got calls from
neighbors or anyone else.

Deputy Chief Kelso | Whitehall Police Department

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The swift response also led to the recovery of the woman’s discarded firearm. Kelso elaborated, saying, "We were on the scene so fast. She didn't have much time to hide that gun. She attempted to throw it into a neighbor's yard and conceal it."

The prompt intervention by law enforcement ensured that the weapon did not fall into the wrong hands, and ultimately resulted in the arrest of the woman responsible for the gunfire.

Ensuring Privacy and Safety to Foster Community Trust

Whitehall Police Department places an emphasis on the privacy and safety of its citizens. It is crucial to note that the Raven devices do not record conversations.

Deputy Chief Kelso clarified, "[Raven devices] don't record people talking. Nobody is actually being recorded."

“[Raven devices] don’t record people talking. Nobody is actually being recorded.

Deputy Chief Kelso | Whitehall Police Department

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Flock Safety's steadfast commitment to upholding privacy through built-in safeguards, such as data retention limits and search auditing, further strengthens the partnership and trust between the community and law enforcement.

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