VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia – Virginia Beach police have expanded the use of gunshot detection technology to the city’s Level Green and College Park neighborhoods, according to a news release Tuesday.

The residential areas are located off Indian River Road, across from Regent University on the other side of I-64 – in the fourth police precinct.

Police say that with this expansion, Shotspotter is now keeping watch in all four districts of the city.

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The VBPD began using the technology, which detects gunshots and alerts police, in 2021. Since then, police say they have recorded more than 1,200 shootings.

According to the press release, only 23% of shootings were reported to police via 911. However, police say Shotspotter allows them to respond to and investigate even those cases that were not reported.

There have been at least two fatal shootings in Level Green in the last few months alone. Earlier this month, the city agreed to expand a summer program to the neighborhood to curb violence among children and young adults.

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“We are currently seeing a 53% decrease in gun homicides compared to the same period last year and a 52% decrease in gun victims overall. ShotSpotter plays an important role in helping the VBPD target gun violence,” Police Chief Paul Neudigate said in a statement accompanying the expansion press release.

The Newport News Police Department was the first police department in Hampton Roads to install Shotspotter in 2019.