ShotSpotter program helps Pueblo police tackle violent crime

Sarah Ferguson
·1 min read

(PUEBLO, Colo.) —  The Pueblo Police Department (PPD) said a gunshot detection system, otherwise known as ShotSpotter, has led police to receive more than 320 alerts of shots being fired since the program’s implementation just over two months ago.

PPD said the ShotSpotter program in the City of Pueblo began on Feb. 14, 2024, and the following is a direct result:

  • 321 alerts of shots being fired

  • 114 case numbers assigned

  • 1,333 shots detected

  • 687 shell casings found

  • 12 pistols and four rifles recovered

In addition to the above, PPD has arrested or cited nine individuals with additional charges pending further investigation and/or District Attorney review. “These results are encouraging as we are able to better address violent crime in our community with the help of this much-needed technology,” wrote PPD.

ShotSpotter alerts have not only allowed officers to respond quicker to incidents involving shots fired but according to police, there were nine times when officers arrived to find injured
people on the scene, and were able to render lifesaving measures.

According to PPD, shell casings suitable for entry are submitted for examination in the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, a tool law enforcement uses to share information and ultimately helps them be more effective in closing cases.

“In two of the ShotSpotter alerts where spent shell casings were collected, a search of the Colorado database was conducted, and a lead was found with spent shell casings in previous weapons offenses,” wrote PPD. “The casings in these two alerts generated leads to seven other cases, which will require additional investigation.”

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