MARTINEZ, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol (CHP), Contra Costa Area, will conduct testing of the ShotSpotter component of the new Freeway Security Network system tonight, Thursday, June 28, 2018. This calibration and testing will consist of controlled live-fire trials and will ensure the accuracy of the ShotSpotter system that will be in operation on the freeways within Contra Costa County in coming months.
People living near the freeways in the area of the testing may hear gunfire, but it is only part of the test and is safe. When operational, the ShotSpotter system will help pinpoint the time and location of freeway shootings. The information gathered will then be provided to law enforcement to investigate.
System testing is expected to begin at 9 p.m., Thursday June 28, and conclude at 4 a.m. Friday, June 29, in unspecified locations on Contra Costa County freeways. While the testing will be conducted at night to lessen any disruption to traffic, the public should stay alert for potential lane closures by Caltrans throughout the night and the presence of personnel and/or equipment alongside the roadway in test areas.
The ShotSpotter system is one part of the Freeway Security Network. In October 2017, a Freeway Shootings Task Force with the CHP, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, Caltrans, and police in Pittsburg, Antioch, Hercules, Pinole, Richmond, and San Pablo, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to install a regional Freeway Security Network.
The Pittsburg City Council approved the resolution on December 18, 2017 to authorize the City to execute an agreement for the multi-jurisdictional Freeway Security Network Project
The next phase of the project will include installation of the cameras/license plate readers which is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
After-hour concerns regarding this testing should be directed to CHP Golden Gate Division’s Non-Emergency Line at (707) 551-4100, Option 11. As usual, the public should call 9-1-1 to report an emergency.
3 comments
It’s about time they got a ShotSpotter in the Antioch area …. I heard the shots around 10 pm…. why has it taken so long? I hope this ShotSpotter can also located idiots setting off M-80’s and other firecrackers!
Living in an area that needed to install this system, just might be another red flag warning, to GTFO of this area!
So glad to see this happening. When the system is complete, this should result in a real reduction in crime. Good luck getting away with a freeway shooting with all this technology at work.
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