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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 25-0040INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 25-0040 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council March 4, 2025 Page 1 of 2 SUBJECT: PLAN TO REDUCE CELEBRATORY SHOOTING OF FIREARMS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS The purpose of this informal report is to provide an update on the implementation of technology which the Police Department uses to detect the location of gunshots with the goal of reducing gunshots in the City of Fort Worth. Discharging a firearm randomly or in celebration within the city limits of Fort Worth is not only illegal, but it is also a serious safety concern. Such actions can lead to dangerous consequences and, if caught, will face stringent enforcement by law authorities. There are two different offenses that can be charged if the police department catches an individual recklessly firing a weapon. City of Fort Worth Ordinance 23-6-Discharging Firearms -which states in part "It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge a firearm within the city." Penal Code 42.12-Discharge of Firearm in Certain Municipalities- A person commits an offense if the person recklessly discharges a firearm inside the corporate limits of a municipality having a population of 100,000 or more. The penalty for this offense is a Class A Misdemeanor. Random gunshots fired throughout our city are a significant safety concern due to the associated dangers. This issue becomes even more alarming during the two major celebratory holidays, the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve, when the number of gunshots increases considerably. This rise in gunfire is particularly concerning because of the large gatherings of people celebrating outdoors during these times. The Police Department conducted research on the frequency of shootings and calls related to shots fired throughout the city to identify the most effective locations for installing gunshot detection technology for a pilot program. Upon completing the research, a designated area in each division, except for the North Division, was selected for the deployment of this technology. The Police Department has installed two different brands of gunshot detection equipment: Flock and Acoem. The locations of the pilot program are: • NW 25th St Area • Las Vegas Trail Area • Rosemont Area • S Riverside/Berry Area • Stalcup/Berry Area The Flock Raven system currently in use was funded through a Texas Anti -Gang (TAG) grant. The areas identified for the deployment of the Flock Raven system also currently have Flock cameras and city pan tilt zoom (PTZ) cameras. The Flock and PTZ cameras work in conjunction ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 25-0040 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council March 4, 2025 Page 2 of 2 SUBJECT: PLAN TO REDUCE CELEBRATORY SHOOTING OF FIREARMS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS with the Flock Raven system to collect suspect leads when an alert is given. Flock Ravens are located and fine-tuned by flock, so their placement is more permanent in nature. Acoem Gunshot Detection was also funded by a TAG grant. Acoem units are portable, but mounting and sensor configuration needs to be accomplished with any new deployments by Fort Worth Police Department personnel. An Acoem sensor is directly tied to a camera and automatically points the camera in the direction of the alert. The Acoem system is more commonly deployed during planned large events or in an area that has an uptick in reported gunshots. They can be moved from location to location. Installation of the Flock Ravens started in the summer of 2024 with the full installation process completed in early November of 2024. Since installation, the system has continuously been fine- tuned by Flock to seek out maximum effectiveness and there has been some trial and error involved as with any new technology. As the program has been stood up there have been numerous alerts, mostly tied to random sounds consistent with gunfire, and some alerts that have helped officers and detectives locate crime scenes and investigative leads. The sensors are programmed to send an alert to the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) which then investigates the incoming alerts and a determination is made if a call for service will be set up based on details gathered from the various technologies and any witness accounts. Officers in the field are also able to receive notifications of alerts near their current location via the flock application. Communication with the public In preparation for the upcoming 4th of July and New Year's Eve celebrations, the department is diligently sharing crucial information across a variety of social media platforms. Our messaging focuses on the critical importance of gun safety and draws attention to the grave dangers associated with discharging firearms into the air, such as stray bullets potentially harming unsuspecting individuals or damaging property. As we move closer to the summer months, these educational alerts will be issued more frequently. We aim to inform the public about safety measures and responsible firearm practices during these high-spirited events. Our ongoing efforts reflect a steadfast commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community while promoting responsible behavior during celebratory occasions. Additional questions or information requests should be directed to Executive Assistant Chief Robert Alldredge at 817-392-4131. Jesus "Jay" Chapa City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS