Virginia Beach Police Department’s Use of ShotSpotter Technology Continues to Make Virginia Beach Safer

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – In July 2021, the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) implemented ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology as part of its overall violence reduction strategy. This technology ensures VBPD officers are notified of and respond promptly to all shooting incidents within the coverage area; unfortunately, statistics show approximately 80% of gunfire nationally is not reported to 911. On Saturday, October 8, 2022, over the course of five hours, ShotSpotter aided in identifying three separate gunfire incidents: one in the Second Precinct, and two in the Third Precinct.

The first took place at 1:59 A.M. in the 1800 block of Atlantic Avenue. Officers canvassed the area and found several shell casings and a vehicle with an AR15 style rifle in plain view. Officers subsequently charged Kevin Harris, age 29, of Virginia Beach, with Reckless Handling of a Firearm and Discharging a Firearm in City Limits.

The second took place at 2:00 A.M. in the 5400 block of Wesleyan Drive. Officers found an occupied vehicle stuck on a median and multiple shell casings nearby. Officers subsequently located search two firearms. Jordan Cordon Judge, age 22, of Yorktown, VA, was charged with being Under the Influence While Carrying a Concealed Weapon in Public, Public Intoxication, and Discharge of a Firearm in Public. Nathan Avree Tabor, age 23, of Yorktown, VA, was charged with Discharging a Firearm in Public and Reckless Handling of a Firearm.

The third incident occurred at 8:56 P.M. in the 700 block of Lake Edward Drive. ShotSpotter notified VBPD of three rounds fired. Officers arrived on the scene and detained three juvenile subjects, one after a short foot pursuit. Officers canvassed the scene and located shell casings and a .45 caliber handgun which matched the shell casings. The subject who fled (M/17) was charged with Juvenile in Possession of a Firearm, Discharging a Firearm in City Limits, and Concealed Handgun.

"ShotSpotter enables officers to respond quickly to gunfire, improves evidence recovery, and many times allows quicker medical care for gunshot wound victims," said Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate. "This technology is a force multiplier, especially in this era of diminished police staffing. ShotSpotter deploys officers when and where they are most needed, those areas of our communities suffering from persistent gun violence. There is no doubt Virginia Beach is safer today thanks to ShotSpotter."

Since introduced in July 2021, ShotSpotter technology has detected 441 occurrences of gunfire: 139 in the 2^nd Precinct, and 302 in the 3^rd Precinct. Of those occurrences, only 25% have a corresponding 911 call. VBPD officers have recovered over 500 shell casings and 27 firearms.