Dallas gunshot detection program being delayed by bureaucracy

by Michael Davis of Dallas Progress

I have been following and looking forward to the installation of gunshot detection systems in Dallas. While it was looked at some years ago by DPD, the company that was used produced an inferior product. A different company is being used in this trial.

So we get to the point where pilot programs take place. One trial is planned for North Oak Cliff and I believe another is set for South Oak Cliff.

According to this Dallas Morning News article from last week, the installation is being stalled out by Oncor. Oncor says that they want ShotSpotter (the gunshot detection company) to take responsibility for the utility poles before they allow the system installs.

This is a major mistake by Oncor. The article says that utility companies in other cities did not require such agreements. While other cities are experiencing the benefits, Dallas lags behind because of bureaucracy and nonsense, and neighborhoods remain at risk of random gunfire.

I also disagree with the whole concept of doing a pilot program, instead of just rolling out the product in a much larger radius. The technology and results of the ShotSpotter system have been proven to be successful nationwide.

Here is an example of the program's success in San Francisco. Hopefully, Oncor will wake up and realize how important such a service would be for Dallas' most crime-ridden neighborhoods and get it together.