Kansas City police say their ShotSpotter technology is leading to more arrests and getting people to put down the guns for the Fourth of July holiday.
Armed with knowledge from the ShotSpotter system, Kansas City police officers went door-to-door in the heart of the city asking residents to put down the guns. The neighborhoods were selected based on the gunfire that registered in that area last year.
Jake Becchina oversees the ShotSpotter program for the police department.
"This technology can pinpoint gunfire. We're out here informing residents of the dangers." Said Becchina.
Officers were accompanied by the parents of Blair Shanahan Lane, Brian Demoss and Michelle Shanahan-Demoss. Blair was tragically killed by a stray bullet on July 4, 2011.
Chris Harris, a community activist, participated in the walk to help educate people of the dangers.
"We hope we can educate people as to how dangerous this is. What goes up has to come down. People can get hurt." said Harris.
According to police, since 2012, there have been 7500 gunfire alerts. Those alerts have resulted in more than 30 felony arrests and 29 misdemeanor arrests. Dozens of firearms have also been recovered.
ShotSpotter technology is in 90 U.S. cities.
