NEWBURGH – Following the
death of Newburgh Free Academy graduate Keyshan Gayle by gun violence,
Representative Sean Patrick Maloney stood with the mother of Keyshan and
the City of Newburgh Police and to call for the U.S. Department of Justice
to approve funding for Shot Spotter Technology.
Often times, reports of shots fired are conveyed to the Police Department
from the community, which can lead to inconsistent or inaccurate statements.
The investment would provide four square miles of the City of Newburgh
with audio sensors, which can pinpoint the location of the gunfire, detect
the frequency of gunfire, and even identify the type of firearm used.
Maloney, podium, urges Washington to approve funding for the specialized
gun violence identification program
Acting Chief Daniel Cameron said this is part of an ongoing strategy
of utilizing the latest strategies and technologies available.
“This is very important in the City of Newburgh. We have seen an
alarming rise in the number of gun-related incidents,” noted Maloney,
whose office is about a half-mile from where Gayle, 18, was shot in the
back.
The congressman noted Newburgh is “significantly ahead of where
we were last year” in terms of the amount of gun violence.
Gayle’s mother, Jennifer Bediako, understands that. With a strong,
determined voice, she called for unity in a troubled city.
“I just want to say that I think it’s very important that
the community comes together in a time like this and we all unite, regardless
of skin, regardless of color, regardless of culture, regardless of heritage,
anything, anywhere you come from, any background,” Bediako pleaded.
“In a situation like this, I mean, we can save anybody’s live,
anybody. Now, my son, it’s too late for him, but, through his death,
and our uniting, as a community this can be greater than anybody ever
imagined.”
Maloney said Shot Spotter is not the entire solution, but is one way to
improve the tools available to law enforcement.
The initial grant of $350,000 is for the setup. After that, the city will
lease the system at a rate of $30,000 per square mile, or $120,000 total,
per year.
“We are not powerless,” said Maloney. “We do not have
to sit back and do nothing.”
The city council is in full support of the program.
