Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons is navigating budget realities after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed state funding for the county’s ShotSpotter program, leaving law enforcement agencies to reassess their crime-fighting strategies.
Background: The acoustic gunshot detection system, which covered three square miles across both the sheriff’s office jurisdiction and the city of Pensacola, received $350,000 in state appropriations for its first three years of operation. The program had been successfully integrated into the county’s real-time crime center, working alongside existing camera networks to provide comprehensive surveillance capabilities.
“We applied on behalf of the city of Pensacola and the sheriff’s office based upon a recommendation of the Pensacola Police Department,” Sheriff Simmons explained during a podcast interview. “It’s worked out very well, but now obviously it passed the legislature but was vetoed by the governor.”
With the funding cut, the ShotSpotter system will likely expire in October, forcing the sheriff’s office to make difficult budget decisions.
- Rather than seeking alternative funding sources, Simmons has chosen to prioritize personnel over technology, emphasizing the importance of “putting boots on the ground” and keeping deputies available for emergency calls.
Why did it matter? The ShotSpotter data reveals interesting patterns about gun violence in the area. According to Simmons, the vast majority of detected gunshots were not fired in anger, with incidents likely involving test firing, shooting at wildlife, or celebratory gunfire.
However, the system did provide valuable seconds of advance warning before 911 calls came in, allowing faster response times to genuine emergencies.
“There have been a few occasions where those couple of seconds before someone called 911 that we were able to be en route,” Simmons noted. “We’ll use the cameras that we have in the areas to supplement that as well.”
Moving Forward
Despite losing the ShotSpotter capability, the sheriff’s office will continue expanding its real-time crime center through other means. Plans include acquiring new video feeds from various roadways throughout Escambia County and collaborating with local authorities, including those on Pensacola Beach, to enhance surveillance networks.
The decision reflects broader challenges facing law enforcement agencies nationwide as they balance high-tech solutions with traditional policing methods. While Sheriff Simmons acknowledges the loss of ShotSpotter capabilities, he remains focused on maintaining core services and ensuring a strong deputy presence in the community.
- “Is it a loss? Yes, but I’m a big boy and we took a look at the budget,” Simmons said. “I’d rather use that $350,000 to continue with the deputies that we have in the field.”