After 18 Years of Success, Baton Rouge Police’s Gunfire Alert Technology Faces Uncertain Future – What You Need to Know

In a move to cut costs in 2025, Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse Jr. is ending a $400,000 yearly contract with ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection service used for 18 years. This technology helps police pinpoint where gunshots are fired by using sound sensors.

ShotSpotter’s system listens for gunshot sounds. A computer then calculates where the shot likely came from. District Attorney Hillar Moore noted that this tech has helped in gathering evidence, such as shell casings, that connects to crime investigations.

In December, ShotSpotter detected 42% of the 470 gunshots reported in the city. This detection rate has been consistent since the technology was first introduced in 2007.

Chief Morse said the technology is beneficial but limited. “It just tells us where a shot occurred,” he explained.

As the police department faced a need to cut nearly $9 million from the budget, due to a parishwide sales tax switch, ShotSpotter was an easy target for cuts.

He believes the cost of ShotSpotter has risen without sufficient returns. The sensors now only cover a small part of the city—six out of 80 square miles. Moving them would be too costly, he stated.

While Moore understands the budget issue, he believes keeping ShotSpotter would have been better if funds allowed. “It’s not a solution to crime, but it has its uses,” he said.

Since the pandemic began in March 2020, Baton Rouge has faced rising murder rates, unlike many U.S. cities, which have seen declines. Moore argues that expanding ShotSpotter could lead to quicker police response times and potentially save lives, especially in urgent situations.

How it works

Moore highlighted that ShotSpotter provides real-time information, which can indicate the type of gunfire. This data can often be more reliable than eyewitness accounts, especially if witnesses are hesitant to talk.

The company claims ShotSpotter has a 97% accuracy rate and a low false positive rate. However, it has faced criticism for sometimes mistakenly identifying sounds like fireworks, which can waste police time and resources.

Morse disagreed with concerns about over-policing. “It’s just information about a gunshot,” he noted. He hasn’t been able to attribute any arrests directly to ShotSpotter since he took over as chief.

How it started in Baton Rouge

The technology first caught Baton Rouge’s attention in 2007 when former police chief Jeff LeDuff and then-mayor Kip Holden saw it in D.C. After Hurricane Katrina, it seemed like a useful tool for the city. With federal funds, they quickly set up ShotSpotter across Baton Rouge.

“It was a groundbreaking time for us,” LeDuff recalled.

A personal connection

The importance of this technology became even more real for LeDuff when he received a call in 2010 about a shooting near LSU. Tragically, it was his brother-in-law who had been shot. Without ShotSpotter, no one may have alerted the police in time. Thanks to the sensors, officers were able to follow the suspect’s vehicle quickly.

“Can you imagine going home every day without answers about your family?” LeDuff reflected. “ShotSpotter made a difference.”

Budget challenges

Now, ShotSpotter is one of several areas facing cuts due to budget issues. The department was already short about 100 officers before the sales tax changes. New recruits earn below $39,000 a year, making it tough to attract talent.

“Nearby departments offer better pay,” Morse pointed out. To address the pay issue, Mayor Sid Edwards suggested shifting library funds to boost police salaries, but budget challenges persist.

Morse is working on ways to offset the $9 million shortfall while focusing on morale, staffing, community relations, and crime prevention. For gunshot detection, he’s considering more affordable technology, like crime cameras with facial recognition and license plate readers, which are already in use around the city.