A NIPSCO public safety grant will help cover costs to enhance public safety in the city of Gary.
Merrillville-based NIPSCO, the primary utility provider for Northern Indiana, said the city will install a Databouy’s ShotPoint gunfire detection system in two of the city’s priority neighborhoods focused on reducing gun violence.
“Keeping the public and our communities safe continues to be one of the most important priorities for our City,” said Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson. “We’ve seen how this technology has worked in other communities and I believe this will be a tremendous aid in our efforts to curb and eliminate gun violence and increase public safety. This is another great example of NIPSCO as a corporate citizen.”
Investment in the technology upgrade is estimated to cost between $75,000 and $100,000, which will be covered by a public safety grant from NIPSCO. Six areas across two neighborhoods are planned to receive 29 devices that will be installed – primarily covering a large radius centered around 33rd Avenue and Broadway near the Indiana University Northwest campus.
Databuoy’s ShotPoint gunshot localization system is based on an acoustic sensor network, which detects gunshots from small handguns to high-caliber rifles and automatically locates the source, according to city officials. The new devices are expected to be installed and in use by early 2019.
“Beyond the residents that we have sworn to serve and protect, it is our responsibility to ensure the safety of our local businesses and institutions as well as our own members of the Gary Police Department and other emergency responders within our city,” said Gary Police Chief Richard Allen. “These are exactly the type of proactive measures that we need to be taking, beyond what we’re doing today, and we’re pleased to have the direct support of NIPSCO.”
