Newsradio 1020 Editorial: ShotSpotter in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh may be home to high-tech businesses –

But when it comes to investing in technology –

The city doesn't have a great track record.

So there was some skepticism when –

In 2014 –

City council spent nearly 200-thousand dollars –

On something called "ShotSpotter."

The system was supposed to pick up the sound of gunfire –

Relay it back to a technician –

Who then sends the location to police.

It's been operating for a year –

Covering neighborhoods from Garfield to East Hills –

And – it's working.

Police officials say it helps officers get to crime scenes more quickly.

In one recent case – they made an arrest –

Because they arrived at a homicide scene –

Just as a suspect was driving off.

Pittsburgh still needs to deal with its chronic police shortage –

But this technology seems well worth the 135-thousand dollars –

Required to keep it running this year.

City council should approve the spending.

And Mayor Bill Peduto should make good on his promise –

To extend ShotSpotter to other neighborhoods.

The sooner – the better.