Mother of Newburgh Shooting Victim Want Gunshot Detection Technology Funding

Following the death of an Orange County teenager, many are calling for federal funding for the City of Newburgh to receive new gunshot detection technology.

Many joined the mother of Keyshan Gayle to call on the federal government for Shot Spotter Technology. Gayle, 18, of New Windsor was fatally shot last month, near a popular high school hangout, just days before he was supposed to start college.

“My promise is to not stop until every street in Newburgh is safe for our children,” said Jennifer Bediako, mother of Keyshan Gayle. “Although my son is lost, we may be able to save the lives of other children by getting technology that will make our streets safer.”

Shot Spotter is a technology that helps police detect the sound of gunshots. Shot Spotter would provide four square miles of the City of Newburgh with audio sensors, which can pinpoint the location of the gunfire, detect the frequency of gunfire and identify the type of firearm used.

“Shot Spotter will tell us as [crime] is happening – and the likelihood of apprehension if we’re notified of something as it’s occurring – increases tremendously,” City of Newburgh Police Chief Dan Cameron said. “I am convinced that Shot Spotter will be a benefit to the police department. We can write the grants and show the data, but the bottom line is we need people supporting us to get this.”

According to a press release sent from Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney’s office, an advocate for Shot Spotter, Newburgh police often rely solely on the community to help catch local shooters. The reports are often inconsistent or inaccurate. Shot Spotter would empower police by providing the technology necessary to gather critical information to solve gun crimes, and to ensure those responsible are apprehended and successfully prosecuted.