Denver Police To Test Gunshot Detection System

DENVER, CO — The Denver Police Department will be testing a gunshot detection system Wednesday around downtown and Capitol Hill. Between about 4 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., people in the area can expect to hear live, controlled gunfire, the department said.

During the live gunfire tests, expect to hear a sequence of gunshots followed by validation of sound detection by the system.

A bullet trap will be used to ensure public safety — no bullets will be fired into the air or ground, and there is no danger to the public, police said.

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The gunshot detection system uses a network of acoustic sensors to detect when a gun is fired. The system then "precisely and quickly" pinpoints the location of the gunfire, police said. In less than a minute, ShotSpotter notifies 911 dispatchers of the shooting.

The department chooses the evening hours for testing because most shootings occur at night and in the early morning hours, and acoustics are different at night, police said.