Calumet City starts using gunshot detection system

CALUMET CITY, Ill. (AP) - The southern Chicago suburb of Calumet City has started using a gunshot detection system that alerts police to the location of gunfire in real-time.

The Daily Southtown reports that the ShotSpotter system from a California-based company is used in Chicago and other major cities. Cook County medical examiner's office data show that since 2012 Calumet City has recorded 22 gun-related homicides more than all but three municipalities in suburban Cook County.

Police Chief Christopher Fletcher says while gun-related homicides dropped in Calumet City last year the city wants to keep the reduction down and the technology will be a tool to help. Fletcher says the city will use money from drug seizures and other illegal activity to pay for the service's approximately $250,000 price this year.

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Information from: Southtown Star, http://southtownstar.chicagotribune.com/