City of Mobile launching ‘Operation Echo Stop’ to combat gun violence
Feb 1st, 2022
- February 1, 2021 -
For Immediate Release:
City of Mobile launching ‘Operation Echo Stop’ to combat gun violence
Mobile, Ala. — The City of Mobile is gearing up to launch a multi-pronged effort to reduce gun violence that will focus on prevention, deterrence, compliance, and detection.
As part of this operation, the Mobile City Council approved the purchase of the gunshot detection technology ShotSpotter at a meeting earlier today. But while gunshot detection is a useful tool for law enforcement, the larger goal of “Operation Echo Stop” is to prevent gun violence before it ever occurs.
In the coming weeks and months, Mobilians will see the implementation of innovative technology-based strategies, alongside the employment of innovative program leaders from within the community to drive this long-term effort forward. No one piece of this operation is a fix all, but by using the best people, analysts, victim services, youth intervention programs, community partnerships and technologies at our disposal, we can and will make Mobile a safer community for all Mobilians.
“With the support of the Gulf Coast Technology Center, I believe ShotSpotter will be an invaluable tool for the Mobile Police Department, but the goal of our team is to prevent bad actors from ever firing a weapon in the first place,” Mayor Stimpson said. “We can do that by working to reach young people before they turn to violence, having an increased presence in the community and making sure that all of the organizations and governmental agencies that fight gun violence are working together in concert.”
The MPD’s Office of Strategic Initiatives has established several outreach programs with the goal of preventing crime, especially among young people. Now, with additional federal funding, Operation Echo Stop will expand those efforts by bringing on a dedicated Youth Violence Prevention Coordinator and engaging the public, local schools, and community stakeholders to take a more active role.
"As the City continues its focus on the prevention of violent crime, the launch of Operation Echo Stop shows we remain committed,” Public Safety Director Lawrence Battiste said. “By combining all our resources, we can expand efforts to deter crime while also improving detection capabilities. Strengthening our approach will lead to a reduction in gun violence and future victims, especially among our youth.”