VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Following two deadly shootings, police officers are upping security in one Virginia Beach neighborhood.
Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate announced at a town hall meeting Wednesday night his officers are working to install ShotSpotter in Level Green. The gunshot detection system alerts police when bullets are fired.
The Level Green neighborhood has seen two homicides involving children over the last two months. A 17-year-old was arrested for a deadly shooting that happened on April 5.
Then most recently, 16-year-old Jordan Williams died in a shooting on May 7. Chief Neudigate said the shooting stemmed from a fight on the basketball court.
“I have a friend that died to [gun violence] a couple weeks ago," said Monte, who lives in the Level Green neighborhood.
Monte told 13News Now he used to play basketball with Jordan from time to time.
“Hearing that a teen was killed, or anybody was killed is a rough experience," Monte said.
Chief Neudigate is hopeful the ShotSpotter technology will help deter violence in the area. The chief said the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) started using the technology in 2021 and has seen success responding to gun violence in areas where neighbors don’t typically call 911.
"...In fact, less than 20% of the ShotSpotter activations in our coverage areas have a companion 911 call," Chief Neudigate noted in a statement to 13News Now.
Chief Neudigate said three other locations in the city are currently equipped with ShotSpotter. He hopes to have the technology in Level Green by July.
Several people in the Level Green area, who wished to remain anonymous, told 13News Now they think the added technology is a good idea. However, some question its effectiveness.
“People are still going to do what they want to do at the end of the day," Monte said.
The technology has faced criticism over privacy and its effectiveness. In a statement, Chief Neudigate said ShotSpotter allows his department to be data-driven in deploying resources to address crime.