Raleigh police chief says she's 'open to' adding gun detection technology like ShotSpotter

Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson said Thursday she would consider the possibility of adding violence-interrupter programs or gun detection technologies to the police department’s disposal.

Patterson said she knows other municipalities use such programs. It includes the Durham Police Department’s use of the gun detection technology ShotSpotter.

“I’d always like to take a proactive approach to crime fighting, and so, whatever that entails,” Patterson said.

Patterson said she’s had conversations with city leaders about adding a violence-interrupter program or ShotSpotter.

“I’m open to it,” Patterson said.

City Manager Marchell Adams-David is set to present her proposed budget to the Raleigh City Council on Tuesday.

WRAL News reached out to Adams-David’s office to see if the proposed budget includes the addition of adding a violence-interrupter program or gun detection technology. A city spokesperson provided the following response:

"As you can imagine, the city manager and staff are busy finalizing the proposed budget to present to council next week," the spokesperson wrote. "What we can tell you is that the fiscal year 2024 proposed budget is built on community and city council priorities, the city’s strategic plan, departmental needs and business plans, with equity and engagement at its core."

A reporter asked Patterson on Thursday what she’s looking for in Adams-David’s proposed budget.

“Of course, we’re looking at salaries,” Patterson said. “We’re also looking at equipment needs.”

Like many businesses throughout the country, the Raleigh Police Department is also looking to fill staffing shortages.

“Our vacancy is still at about 100,” Patterson said. “It does fluctuate quite a bit because we are doing … [additional] hiring.”

Patterson said the department is constantly looking to hire and recruit officers.

In mid-December, the city of Durham began a yearlong pilot program for its use of ShotSpotter.

The ShotSpotter sensors are supposed to notify police when they hear gunfire and where.

ShotSpotter’s supporters believe it improves police response times, enabling officers to collect better evidence. Its critics worry about privacy and unnecessary police interactions.

2023 first-quarter crime in the city of Raleigh

The city had a 26% increase in motor vehicle thefts in the first three months of this year compared to the same timespan a year ago. There were 386 reported vehicle thefts in Raleigh in the first quarter of 2023 compared to 306 the year before.

Patterson urged people not to leave their keys in their vehicles. She also said not to keep your car running.

On Thursday, Patterson said 74 of this year’s car thefts were due to the in Kia and Hyundai vehicles without anti-theft demobilizers.

An estimated 8.3 million Hyundais and Kias dating to the 2011 model year can be stolen easily by using just a screwdriver and a USB cord, creating an auto-theft outbreak across the U.S.

Hyundai and Kia have since released software upgrades to prevent the thefts. Patterson thanked the car manufacturers for the upgrades, and urged anyone whose Hyundai or Kia is impacted to visit their dealership.

However, the city has had an increase in the number recovered stolen vehicles: 418 in the first three months of 2023 compared to 388 in the first quarter of last year.

The city also had an increase in aggravated assaults: 282 in the first quarter of 2023 compared to 270 in the first quarter of last year.

The 2023 data includes 118 aggravated assaults involving a gun, compared to 120 in the first three months of 2022.

“We, as a community, should not be ok with that,” Patterson said. “And, we should not accept it as the norm.”

Patterson reminded gun owners to properly secure their firearms. In the first three months of the year, Patterson said 96 guns were stolen from vehicles in Raleigh. So far this year, criminals have stolen 162 guns from cars.

“Please don’t leave firearms in your vehicles,” Patterson said.

Compared to the first quarter of last year, the city of Raleigh saw a decrease in homicides, robberies from businesses, aggravated assaults with a firearm, traffic crash deaths and guns stolen from motor vehicles in the first three months of 2023.

Patterson discussed how there were five homicides in the first quarter of 2023 compared to 12 during the same timespan last year. She said Raleigh police have made three arrests in this year’s homicides.

“As the weather warms and the days are getting longer, more and more people are out, we are encouraging the public and encouraging them to be hyper vigilant of your surroundings to prevent robberies and robbery attempts,” Patterson said.

Patterson said police are focusing on areas and nightclubs where there have been previous crimes. She said she encourages club owners and managers to hire extra security.

“We are continuing to focus on areas in our city where we get repeat calls for service, as well as areas that the public demand that we concentrate,” Patterson said.

Specifically, she mentioned New Bern Avenue, the Appliance Court and Capital Boulevard area and parts of downtown where there are reports of drug activity, violence, car break-ins and thefts.

Patterson credited the decrease of different types of crime to working with the community and law enforcement partners.