Posted: 1/21/2013 5:21:00 PM EDT
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The Department of Homeland Security is looking to install "gunshot detector" microphones that are capable of listening to conversations throughout "urban areas" of Washington, DC.
According to a Request for Information (RFI) posted on the FedBizOpps website on January 18 (PDF), the DHS, in tandem with the Secret Service, "Is seeking information on commercially available gunshot detection technologies for fixed site surveillance applications. Typical coverage areas are expected to be from 10s to 100s of acres per site, located within urban areas. Due to the secure nature of these sites, a high gunshot detection rate (>95%) is strongly desired while daily, operational monitoring of the system by external parties is undesirable." Note that the location of the surveillance system will be in "urban areas," and will cover hundreds of acres per each unit, meaning the detection technologies are not merely being prepared for sensitive areas around the White House or the Capitol building. The RFI lists a number of questions potential contractors are required to answer, including whether sensors could be placed to "aesthetically match their surroundings," and whether the system can be, "integrated to communicate with other detection systems." The DHS asks potential contractors to respond to the request for information by February 18. A five-year contract is on offer to the company which demonstrates, "the best overall value to the Government." While the systems are touted as "gunshot detectors," as the New York Times reported in May 2012, similar technology is already installed in over 70 cities around the country, and in some cases it is being used to listen to conversations. http://www.propagandamatrix.com/articles/january2013/210113_install_microphones.htm |
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Quoted:
In its present state, I think it lacks the processor power required to operate in Detroit. Never been to Detroit, or do I know what the processor is capable of. But from what I have heard of Detroit, I think that system would last about a week before it exploded from to much activity. |
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Quoted:
Having used them extensively in Iraq and some experience with them stateside, they can't detect speech. They detect distance and direction to gunshots. They are really damn cool when they are slaved to a remote weapon station. (CROWS/Vanguard/etc) how would these work (or not work) with suppressed weapons? since the sound would be mostly the shock wave bouncing off every surface with almost no muzzle report above that of a dropping school book. |
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These seem like a waste of money. So you know the direction and distance to a gunshot, how does that solve a crime?
If you don't have a victim at the crime scene or willing eye witnesses, your chances of a solved crime are pretty slim. I imagine cameras alone would solve most of the problem, and work on other crimes that don't involve a gun such as theft. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Having used them extensively in Iraq and some experience with them stateside, they can't detect speech. They detect distance and direction to gunshots. They are really damn cool when they are slaved to a remote weapon station. (CROWS/Vanguard/etc) how would these work (or not work) with suppressed weapons? since the sound would be mostly the shock wave bouncing off every surface with almost no muzzle report above that of a dropping school book. They worked fine with suppressed weapons and in heavily built up areas with tons of echos. Negligible degradation of report. |
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Quoted: These seem like a waste of money. So you know the direction and distance to a gunshot, how does that solve a crime? If you don't have a victim at the crime scene or willing eye witnesses, your chances of a solved crime are pretty slim. I imagine cameras alone would solve most of the problem, and work on other crimes that don't involve a gun such as theft. The purpose isn't to "solve" a crime. Its to direct police quickly to a specific location.... instead of milling around a 10x10 block area with no clue where the shooter was. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Having used them extensively in Iraq and some experience with them stateside, they can't detect speech. They detect distance and direction to gunshots. They are really damn cool when they are slaved to a remote weapon station. (CROWS/Vanguard/etc) how would these work (or not work) with suppressed weapons? since the sound would be mostly the shock wave bouncing off every surface with almost no muzzle report above that of a dropping school book. I'd tell you, but I'm not supposed to. |
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Quoted:
These seem like a waste of money. So you know the direction and distance to a gunshot, how does that solve a crime? If you don't have a victim at the crime scene or willing eye witnesses, your chances of a solved crime are pretty slim. I imagine cameras alone would solve most of the problem, and work on other crimes that don't involve a gun such as theft. That's why they want to have a sound-detection system that "communicates with other systems". If the sound detectors pick up a shot fired and then direct all the cameras in that area towards teh shot source, then the shooter is going to end up being recorded on someone's camera, |
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here is a article from 2009 |
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Get yourself a couple of 2x2's, cut them to about 12 inches in length, and then smack them together many times rapidly near one of the sensors. Then walk across the street and wait for the hilarity. 
-SleeperShooter Just blow up a large balloon and pop it near one. |
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gm-3xgVJ_8 Check it out @ 3:10....... With remote gun |
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Quoted: Well if it can't tell if the sound is real or not then it would be interesting to see what happens when you walk down the street clapping your hands now and then.  The majority can tell the difference between a gunshot and anything else. I've never seen a false positive on one. |
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Or to channelize the cops into a ambush or used as a distraction.
Free Quoted:
Quoted:
These seem like a waste of money. So you know the direction and distance to a gunshot, how does that solve a crime? If you don't have a victim at the crime scene or willing eye witnesses, your chances of a solved crime are pretty slim. I imagine cameras alone would solve most of the problem, and work on other crimes that don't involve a gun such as theft. The purpose isn't to "solve" a crime. Its to direct police quickly to a specific location.... instead of milling around a 10x10 block area with no clue where the shooter was. |
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KCPD put these in a few months ago. Based on the daily homicides I don't think its helped much. I am sure Beaver Cleaver got his cut though.
http://www.kctv5.com/story/19682332/new-gunshot-detection-system |