Mesa Police Department gets $431,000 in federal funds for gunshot detectors

MESA — The Mesa Police Department received nearly half a million dollars in federal funding for technology upgrades to improve response times.

The $431,000 came after U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., submitted a Community Project Funding request for gunshot detectors last year.

“Public safety is the highest priority for the mayor and council, so when I chase after federal dollars for Mesa, my highest focus is going to be on public safety,” Stanton said during a press conference Monday at Mesa’s Real Time Crime Center. Mesa Police Chief Dan Butler and Mayor Mark Freeman joined Stanton at the event.

How do gunshot detectors improve response times?

The money will be used for gunshot detectors that will be installed in various areas of the city.

Officials say the technology notifies police of gunshots within seconds, helping them know exactly where shots are coming from for faster responses.

The technology is also used in other Valley cities, including in Phoenix neighborhoods west of Interstate 17 where the city has been focused on reducing crime.

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