New gunshot detection system assists Dublin police in arrests

The Dublin Police Department’s new Flock Raven Gunshot Detection System aided in the arrest of two Dublin men last week.

Zaccheaus Strickland, 22, of Dublin was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of possession of a firearm or knife during commission of or attempt to commit certain crimes, and Demario Strickland, 29, of Dublin, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of a firearm or knife during commission of or attempt to commit certain crimes, following an incident involving gunshots on Thursday, June 27.

“This gunshot detection system is already providing its value,” said Dublin Mayor Joshua Kight. “It won’t take long for criminals to learn that using guns in Dublin will put the police on their doorsteps in minutes. We will continue to invest in technologies that assist our officers in bringing perpetrators to justice and increase the safety of our citizens.” 

At 11:54 a.m. that morning, officers were alerted to shots fired at 815 North Church St. by the gunshot detection
system. At 11:55 a.m., 911 received a call about a house being shot at on Church Street. The victim there provided information about the offenders and the vehicle they used during the crime.

Officers found the vehicle using the Flock License Plate Reader System and were able to make arrests around 5 p.m. that same day. This case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Dublin Police Department at (478) 277-5023 or Laurens County 911 at (478) 272- 7985.

The Flock Raven Gunshot Detection System is new software for the city of Dublin. After a gunshot is fired, police are immediately directed to the specific location. This new technology allows for faster and more accurate responses by the police, reducing the confusion of multiple calls coming from residents in the general area of a gunshot. Police patrol vehicles receive notifications almost instantly through their onboard computer systems, even prior to a 911 call being placed. 

This technology is used with Dublin’s Flock Falcon License Plate Reader System and the Flock Condor System, which are live-feed video cameras, allowing officers to determine the individuals in the area within minutes of a gunshot being detected. 

This layered technology approach allows officers to investigate incidents more quickly and efficiently.

“This technology is great for our police officers,” said Dublin City Manager Josh Powell. “Accurate information provides less confusion and greater clarity for our officers to be able to respond to these incidents. We are using technology to keep our community safe.”