Grant will allow Mansfield police to expand gun detection system
Mansfield police will receive a state grant that will allow them to expand a gun detection system from one to three square miles.
The $148,500 grant is for an audio-sensing technology called ShotSpotter, which is used in more than 100 cities, including Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, Dayton and Youngstown.
Mansfield City Council voted 6-0 at its Tuesday meeting to accept the grant and appropriate funding. Council members Kim Moton and Aurelio Diaz were absent.
City police kicked off the program in March 2021 before deciding to expand it.
"I've seen firsthand how effective it is and how quickly police are able to get there when shots are fired," Councilman Alomar Davenport said.
More: Police seek suspects in shooting that wounded teen
He said he hoped it would reduce the rash of gun violence in Mansfield.
"When people understand it's there, people will stop shooting," Davenport said. "It will save lives."
ShotSpotter installs microphones on buildings and light poles
ShotSpotter works by installing sensors, or rather microphones, on buildings and light poles.
When the sensors pick up something that resembles the sound of gunfire, a location is established based on the amount of time it takes for the sound to travel to each sensor.
An audio file is sent to ShotSpotter's "acoustic specialists," according to an informational video on the company's website, who then determine whether the captured sound is gunfire or something else, like fireworks.
The specialists send that information to law enforcement, who are dispatched to a scene to confront the shooter, or interview witnesses and collect shell casings.
"It can disperse in different areas," police Chief Keith Porch said. "We're working to determine what the three square miles will be.
"What we have now is a polygon, so I have to learn my shapes."
Porch added he was surprised at how much of the city ShotSpotter has covered in one square mile.
Davenport mentioned the technology leading to saving lives. At a previous council meeting, Porch credited ShotSpotter for saving a life, when police were able to find a gunshot victim who was bleeding profusely and apply a tourniquet.
After one year, use of the ShotSpotter technology will be the responsibility of the safety services fund unless the city receives future grants.
Police men's shower, bathrooms to get extensive repairs
In other police-related business, council approved a $57,281.10 contract with Finnegan Construction LLC, from Shelby, to remodel the police men's shower and restrooms.
The money will come from American Rescue Plan Act funds.
"This has been on our radar for quite some time," said Gary Utt, maintenance operations supervisor. "Conditions are pretty rough."
Mayor Tim Theaker previously called the area a "health hazard."
Utt elaborated at Tuesday's meeting, telling council there is extensive black mold in the men's shower. He said there is no grout left, and he believed the mold "would explode behind the tile."
"I don't believe the shower has been touched since 1975 or 1976," Utt said.
He added, "It's such a costly and time-consuming endeavor that we wanted to get the pros in here to take care of it. I would love to get this done for the men in blue."
Responding to a question from Councilwoman Laura Burns, Utt said the work would take less than 30 days once the fixtures are in.
Council also accepted a national Police Athletic League grant for $28,800 to be used for youth mentoring activities March 1, 2022, to Feb. 28, 2023.
"It pays for (director) Ginger Antrican and some miscellaneous supplies," Porch said.
Police donating items to Friendly House
In other business, council:
• Authorized the Ohio Department of Transportation to make pavement repairs to Interstate 71 from the Ohio 13 interchange to south of Mansfield Road. The project is scheduled for late summer.
• Gifted the Mansfield Friendly House with unused recreational, security and kitchen items, including an air hockey table, security system and food preparation tables.
• Reappointed Matthew Stanfield, Ben Davis and Jennifer Kime to the Downtown Improvement Advisory Board. Their terms run through June 30, 2026.
mcaudill@gannett.com
419-521-7219
Twitter: @MNJCaudill
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield police getting grant to expand gun detection system
