The system was completely funded through private donations raised by the CFNJ that approved and secured $1.2 million for the system.
The Newark Community Foundation, an affiliate of CFNJ has created the Community Eye in partnership with the non-profit Stop Shootin' in order to work with the Newark community and its various constituencies to impact gun violence in Newark.
The city is seeking to deploy the gunshot detection technology and 50 public safety surveillance cameras to cover a seven square mile area of the city in which approximately 80% of the gun violence has occurred over the past two and a half years.
The technology consists of a series of sensors that detect and pinpoint the source of gunfire near-instantaneously. These sensors then convey the information to police dispatchers and automated public safety cameras.
According to a description of the program on the Newark Commmunity Foundation's Web site, the gunshot detection system allows resources to be more effectively allocated as a clearer picture of shooting trends is available to police strategists.
The 50 cameras will be added to 32 already in place and 45 others already planned. These cameras act as a "force multiplier" by putting more police eyes on the street, improve officer safety by providing officers with situational awareness prior to arrival on a dangerous scene, improve prosecution outcomes by providing strong visual evidence and allow for more timely addition of other emergency personnel to an incident.