Reduction of Shots Fired in Canton, OH

Since implementing our community-forward strategy, we have had a

significant impact on violent crime. This is especially true for gun-related
crime and, in particular, reports of shots fired. In June, 2013 Canton began
using an audible surveillance system to detect gunfire called Shotspotter.
That technology was used in conjunction with a small group of officers
responsible for responding to all shots-fired calls, evaluating Shotspotter
data, organizing a problem-oriented approach to address areas with multiple
incidents and sharing all information with other bureaus and agencies. The
below statistics were taken directly from the Shotspotter system and the
Canton Police Department CAD system.

Shotspotter
2014 vs 2013 44% reduction of Shotspotter incidents.
06/01/2013 (First day of Shotspotter) 12/31/2013 = 335 activations.
Over the same time period one year later:
06/01/2014 12/31/2014 = 188 activations

2014 is the only full year for the system. We had 392 total activations
in 2014, just under 33 incidents reported per month. Compared to the
seven months of activations in 2013 (335 = 48 incidents per month),
the monthly average in 2014 was 31% less than the monthly
average in 2013.

2015 vs 2014 35% reduction of Shotspotter incidents.

These statistics are being compiled on November 10th, therefore we are

evaluating data through the first ten full months of 2015.
01/01/2014 10/31/2014 = 366 activations

01/01/2015 10/31/2015 = 239 activations (127 fewer activations = 35%

reduction).

After a significant reduction in activations in 2014, we had another

incredible reduction in 2015. Over ten months we averaged only 24
activations per month which is a monthly average 27% less than we
had in 2014.

Comparing 2015 to 2013:

We only have monthly averages to compare since we did not have a

full year of data for either 2015 or 2013. The monthly average in
2015 (24) is 50% less than the monthly average in 2013 (48).

Shots Fired
In addition to the reduction in activations of the Shotspotter system,
which are focused on three-square miles of the city, we also experienced a
significant reduction in calls for service from citizens related to shots fired
city-wide during the same time periods.

2013 vs 2014 (24% decrease in calls from citizens)

June 1st, 2013 December 31st, 2013 = 598 calls from citizens.
June 1st, 2014 December 31st, 2014 = 454 calls from citizens.

2014 vs 2015 (29% decrease in calls from citizens)

January 1st, 2014 October 31st, 2014 = 746 calls from citizens.
January 1st, 2015 October 31st, 2015 = 529 calls from citizens.