"We think it's a promising technology, but we're sort of waiting to have it perfected before the city considers making an investment," Goldstein said. "We're supporting Hopkins, and we're really interested to see the results."
The detector boxes have been installed on city streetlights and off-campus university buildings in a three-quarter-mile radius of the campus, Reeves said. The coverage area is bordered by University Parkway, 25th Street, Barclay Street and Charles Street, with additional coverage extending to Howard Street.
"There is not a concern that gunshots are out of control," Reeves said. "This is added security for the Johns Hopkins campus and the surrounding area."
According to campus security statistics, there were 11 total crimes reported at the Homewood campus in 2007, down from 23 in 2005. Eight were burglaries. Smith said there have been only two people shot in the coverage area this year, with 22 reports of gunfire discharges.
"A lot of those times, we get calls for discharges and I'm watching bottle rockets going up in the air," Smith said.
In Washington, police say the ShotSpotter technology has aided homicide investigations and improved response times, though it has not been a significant deterrent.
East Orange, N.J., Harrisburg, Pa., and Prince George's County are among the jurisdictions that are using SECURES. Orrison said other areas are using the technology but do not want the use disclosed.
