ShotSpotter to acquire QinetiQ North America's SECURES

Published 7 May 2009

ShotSpotter will acquire SECURES Acoustic Gunshot Detection System
from QinetiQ North America, strengthening its position in the acoustic detection arena; 35 localities in the United States already deploy ShotSpotter systems in high-crime areas

We have written about Mountain View, California-based ShotSpotter, Inc., a developer of wide-area acoustic surveillance systems (see, for example, 25 June 2007 HS Daily Wire). ShotSpotter and QinetiQ North America (QNA) Technology Solutions Group company Planning Systems Inc. (PSI), last week announced an agreement which calls for:

  • ShotSpotter to acquire the operating assets, technology, and customer list of QNA/PSI SECURES product business. SECURES is an acoustic gunshot detection system that provides localization of gunfire for response by law enforcement and other first responders
  • ShotSpotter to become the exclusive licensee within the public safety and law enforcement markets of the patent portfolio underlying the SECURES product line; and
  • The two companies to seek opportunities to jointly offer capabilities and solutions to the global military and defense markets

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“This transaction marks an important milestone for both ShotSpotter and QNA.  It extends ShotSpotter’s reach into key customer markets and broadens our ability to provide the most holistic and proven approach to detecting, fighting and preventing illegal gunfire in a variety of settings. By adding the SECURES product line to our offerings we also bring to our company an important new strategic partner — QNA,” said James Beldock, president and CEO of ShotSpotter.

Thirty-five U.S. municipalities and counties have already deployed ShotSpotter’s Gunshot Location System (GLS) in some of the country’s highest crime areas. The company says that customers who use ShotSpotter’s technology report a reduction in violent crime by at least 30 percent and lower gunfire rates by as much as 60 to 80 percent. SECURES systems have similarly been successfully deployed across the country. The two products are the only such systems to have been formally evaluated by the National Institute of Justice.

The companies said that there will be no change for existing SECURES customers regarding both maintenance and opportunities to expand their installations. ShotSpotter is also investigating the benefits of integrating SECURES and ShotSpotter sensor technologies in individual deployments to best match the technologies to individual customer needs. Cost and design of integrated offerings for existing customers have yet to be finalized or announced.

“ShotSpotter’s acquisition of the SECURES product line will allow them to offer a broader solution set to solve the diverse needs of different municipalities,” said Dr. Alan Friedman, president of PSI. “We look forward to working with ShotSpotter as an important new partner in bringing our patented technology to a wider market.”