• Media Enquiries

    07505 448925(24hr)

Shot detector = dangerous precedent..?

List130 I find myself concerned about the introduction of "shot detector" technology in Birmingham. The network of microphones are apparently necessary to detect the position from which gunshots are fired.

There's of course a proportionality point – just how often are people getting whacked in Brum, to justify a permanent network of audio detection? Moreover, there's an important privacy issue:

Local residents have expressed concern that the police will use the microphones to listen-in on private conversations. Chief superintendent Chris McKeogh, of West Midlands police, has assured them that the microphones normally lie dormant and only a loud report from a gun will turn them on.

Oh, yeah? Because West Midlands police have such a good track record with intrusive kit.

And there's an important "slippery slope" point. Nobody approves of gang bangers. So this gets introduced to catch them. Well, it's there now. How about we leave it on, to catch some paedos and some drug dealers in the act? Who approves of them? And then… and so on. In the end, the trees are listening, and the clocks are striking thirteen.

By Alex Deane

Posted on December 9, 2010 by Big Brother Watch Posted in Privacy
  • http://sbml.wordpress.com SadButMadLad

    They’re only as useful as CCTV – they only tell you something after the fact.

  • tolpuddlemartyr

    Get rid! All these cameras are detrimental to our happiness. Cameron’s in office now, so he won’t be getting rid of them soon. Promises promises! A gripe at Sweden, cameras and all,
    http://www.tolpuddlemartyr.blogspot.com

  • Sick of ‘Em

    does anybody seriously think that the great british public are going to rise up and fight these increasingly intrusive measures into our lives?
    no, thought not!
    who was it said we don’t live in a police state/ authoritarian state/ fascist state???

  • Sick of ‘Em

    ps. the majority are moaning at the sight of ‘students’ demonstrating and want them all locked up – enjoying watching the police take ‘defensive’ action and using their current trendsetter – kettling – any old how FFS

  • MildredP

    They have them already installed and operating in suburban locations south of San Francisco, CA, USA and have had them for several years now. They are located up on top of telephone poles spaced throughout areas where random shootings have been common. Because of the various locations, when a loud noise occurs and triggers them, by triangulation, they can determine precisely where the shot came from and sends information to police to go immediately to that exact spot. I do not know if they are turned on to listen to sounds on the street all the time, but I know they have them installed, have had for years and they triangulate to determine the precise locations of guns going off. I’m neither for nor against, I’m just saying, I think that is how they operate over here.

  • john malpas

    Well MildredP do they work?
    If you open a champagne bottle (pop!!) will the police come and get you?

  • CW

    Shot detector,hmmm.
    Next,conversation detector.

  • NeverSurrender

    Just think of the fun you could have popping balloons and paper bags or is that an offence too now?

  • Kev

    Not long till fixed penalty notices for “noise offences” are the norm.
    Knock Knock…
    Plod1: You’re premises were playing music half a decibel over the designated comfortable residential limit and must pay a £60 fine or receive a summons to court.
    Old lady: it must have been those young boys and their automobiles hanging around outside. I haven’t even got a wireless!
    Plod1: Can you prove you were not listening to Cypress Hill at 2.45AM?
    Old Lady: Cypru.. wha?
    Plod1: Just as I though.. another awkward one. I’m gonna need backup.

  • http://ampers.wordpress.com Andrew Ampers Taylor

    “Chief superintendent Chris McKeogh, of West Midlands police, has assured them that the microphones normally lie dormant and only a loud report from a gun will turn them on.”
    Yeah! And pigs might fly!

  • http://sbml.wordpress.com SadButMadLad

    More useful info at El Reg (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/12/09/birmingham_launches_gunfire_location_it/).
    Also interesting comment about their reliability in comment by “Ugotta B. Kiddingme
    ” at http://forums.theregister.co.uk/forum/1/2010/12/09/birmingham_launches_gunfire_location_it/

  • http://faustiesblog.blogspot.com FaustiesBlog

    These were introduced in the US, years ago. Surprise – cops have been using them for eavesdropping.
    We should not allow this technology to be deployed by the police. The notion of gun shot detection is just a ploy to enable it to gain a toe-hold. It’s the thin end of the wedge.
    Perhaps, since our students have nothing better to do than to riot, they can turn their attention on this issue, which is likely to have a greater impact on their lives than tuition fees.

  • Purlieu

    “the microphones normally lie dormant and only a loud report from a gun will turn them on”
    What is a “dormant” mike ?
    If they are “not on” how can they detect the gunshot ?

  • http://www.yahoo.com/ Matilda

    Great common sense here. Wish I’d tuhohgt of that.