A $100,000 grant will pay for the installation of new gunshot sensors in the Allison Hill section of Harrisburg. The police department tells me that last year, officers responded to 208 shots fired calls in one particular area of that neighborhood. Dauphin County's District Attorney Ed Marsico says the technology will alert police within seconds of any outside gunfire, before anyone could even dial 911, and will direct officers to the specific location of the shots. The goal is to give police a better chance at catching a shooter and allowing any potential victim to receive medical attention faster.
My gut tells me this is a great thing. Why not use every means necessary to catch bad guys and help innocent people? If this technology helps create a mindset where people who might otherwise fire a gun but would then think twice, knowing police will be coming sooner, then the program would be a success.
But part of me also thinks the money could be more wisely spent cleaning up the neighborhood. There are a lot of vacant and rundown buildings that could be demolished and turned into parks with that money. Why not instead spend the money taking down all of the graffiti? I believe in the trickle-down theory. If the city shows a commitment to beautification and pride in a community, I think its residents would follow suit.
What do you think?
