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Cincinnati Shot-tracker Indicates Most Gunfire Isn't Reported

Adam Hill

Cincinnati police say data from high-tech devices installed to track the sound of gunfire in the city show that people call 911 in only about one out of every six of those incidents.

The city began using a ShotSpotter system in August that covers the Avondale neighborhood and parts of others.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports the system detected 257 instances of gunfire during the first four months of use. Officials say 911 calls were made for only 40 of those instances, meaning nearly 85 percent of the gunfire wasn't reported.

Why? Authorities and activists says people may get accustomed to hearing gunfire, or feel that they don't have enough information to get involved or that responding wouldn't be a priority for police — a perception disputed by the department.

Stories from the Associated Press.