Question: ShotSpotter Reaction
Overall, is the technology a positive or a negative for Huntington Station?
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Lawmakers say the newly-installed Flex ShotSpotter system will improve the quality of life in Huntington Station, police say it will improve their ability to find shooters.
Others, like newly-elected Huntington Town Board member Eugene Cook have stated that elected officials should have done more in the previous months to prevent the need for ShotSpotter in the first place.
"Yes, we have Shot Spotter, but I'm disappointed that we have to have it now," said Cook in October. "I believe it's our politicians that should have been up there screaming when there were shootings and violence going on saying enough was enough."
At a cost of $1.2 million, the 3-year surveillance program will eventually cover 5 communities in Suffolk County.
Although the program has been proven to reduce crime in some areas, according to legislators, it also has the potential to possibly disperse crime to nearby areas which have not implemented the technology.
With ShotSpotter now needed in Huntington Station because of incidents of gunfire, it would be difficult to label parts of the community as "family-friendly."
Question: Overall, is Shotspotter a positive or negative for Huntington Station? At what point should it be removed?
Jack White
1:29 pm on Friday, December 23, 2011
It is, no doubt, a negative. Cook is dead on with his statement, that our elected officials should have done something in the past, to prevent the need for shotspotter in the first place. Petrone and crew could care less about the people in the Station, otherwise they would have done something years ago. The current town boards answer is to resurrect an old "committee" to clean up the area. If the old committee was effective at all, that how are we in this position today? Enough smoke and mirrors. Hopefully, Mr.Cook, can bring a positive change to the board.
matt harris
4:33 pm on Saturday, December 24, 2011
OK, having ShotSpotter has a negative connotation. But having 15 year old gang members with guns is a plus? The purpose here is to catch the perps red handed. ShotSpotter can do that. When we rid ourselves of the gangs, and the reasons they join them, then we can get rid of ShotSpotter....