The City of Santa Fe and the Santa Fe Police Department have completed the implementation of ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology, and the system is now fully operational throughout the city.

In February 2026, the Santa Fe City Council approved a one-year, $345,000 contract with SoundThinking to deploy the technology. Funding was provided through a grant from the New Mexico Department of Health as part of a collaborative public health and public safety initiative aimed at improving emergency response and addressing the root causes of gun violence.

Following contract approval, staff from the Santa Fe Police Department, Community Services Department and Public Works Department worked with SoundThinking to install sensors covering approximately five square miles within city limits. Police officers and emergency dispatchers also received specialized training before the system became operational.

The first ShotSpotter alert was received on June 17 in the 300 block of West DeVargas Street. Officers responded in less than one minute and located multiple shell casings. The first 911 call reporting the incident was received approximately four minutes after officers had already arrived on scene. The investigation remains active.

Within hours of the system becoming fully operational citywide on June 17, two additional gunshot alerts were received. In one incident, officers located a shell casing near Rufina Street and Camino de Manuel. A second alert on St. Michaels Drive resulted in a rapid response, though no evidence of gunfire was found.

"This technology gives our officers critical real-time information that allows them to respond faster and more effectively when gun violence occurs," said Mayor Michael J. Garcia. "Just as importantly, this partnership reflects our commitment to addressing violence through both public safety and public health strategies that help keep our community safe."

"This program represents an important partnership between public safety and public health," said Community Services Director Sandra Emory. "By combining rapid law enforcement response with data-driven strategies and community-based support services, we can better understand where gun violence is occurring, connect resources to affected neighborhoods, and work toward preventing future incidents before they happen."

· Child firearm injury emergency department visits increased by 25% between 2020 (171 ED visits) & 2024 (213 ED visits)

· 299 Juveniles detained where a gun was present, September 2023 Thru September 2024

· In NM Firearms were the leading cause of death among young people ages 1-17 in 2023. (NM Gun Violence dashboard)

· New Mexico has experienced a 45% increase in youth firearm deaths between the years of 2010 and 2019 (Price & Khubchandani, 2022).

The Santa Fe Police Department will monitor and analyze gunshot detection data and provide monthly updates to the Public Safety Committee.

Residents are encouraged to continue reporting suspected gunfire and other criminal activity by calling 911 during emergencies or the Santa Fe Regional Emergency Communications Center at 505-428-3710 for non-emergency incidents

Peter Olson

City of Santa Fe

Communications Director

(505) 819-1062