Thompson, Garamendi Present Check to Vallejo Police Department for Gun Violence Prevention Initiative
Today, Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-04) and John Garamendi (CA-08) presented a check for $830,000 to the Vallejo Police Department (VPD) for the Ghost Gun and Gun Violence Reduction Initiative. This funding was secured in the Fiscal Year 2023 government funding bill.
“Gun violence is an epidemic in our country and making investments that save lives will always be a priority,” said Thompson. “The funding in the government funding bill for the Vallejo Police Department Ghost Guns Initiative will help our law enforcement officers respond more quickly to gun violence and reduce crime rates. I look forward to seeing this funding help keep our community safe and secure.”
“Our constituents sent us to Washington to deliver results in their communities, and that is exactly what Congressman Thompson and I have done. Today, I am proud to stand here today and present this critically important funding to the Vallejo Police Department to help law enforcement address gun violence. I am grateful to our law enforcement officers for their service, and I am pleased that they have this federal support to keep our communities safe,” said Garamendi.
"Gun violence has become an epidemic across our Nation, and sadly, the City of Vallejo isn't exempt from the statistics," said Acting City Manager Terrance Davis. "We are incredibly grateful to Congressman Thompson for his support of a Community Project for $830,000 that will be put towards the Vallejo Police Departments' Gun Violence Prevention Program, which will help us improve public safety and combat this grave issue that impacts us all."
Vallejo’s Ghost Gun and Gun Violence Reduction Initiative is a data-driven and evidenced-based solution to help Vallejo reduce its crime rates, extend its reach to Vallejo’s hardest-hit neighborhoods and deter criminals from bringing firearms into our neighborhoods.
VPD would install the “Raven” Shot Spotter technology in the hardest hit areas of the City where most violent crimes are reported. This technology utilizes technology sensors, algorithms and artificial intelligence to accurately detect, locate and alert law enforcement to gunfire through auditory detection. This new and emerging technology can analyze audio signals for potential gunshots, and alerts directly to law enforcement and 911 dispatch when gunfire has been identified.
With a chronically understaffed department, the use of these systems will vastly increase overall department effectiveness, increase officer productivity and morale, and streamline data processes to solve crimes faster and free our officers up to respond to Vallejo’s most urgent public safety needs.
Learn more about this project here.