Mesa has been awarded a significant federal grant to expand its gunshot detection system, a move city leaders say will strengthen public safety and improve emergency response times across several neighborhoods.

The funding, provided through a national public safety initiative, will allow Mesa Police to broaden the reach of its acoustic gunshot detection network. The system uses strategically placed sensors to identify and pinpoint the location of gunfire within seconds, automatically alerting officers and dispatchers.
City officials say the technology has already proven valuable in areas where it has been deployed, helping officers respond more quickly, recover evidence, and assist victims who may not have been able to call 911. Expanding coverage, they note, will help address underreported gunfire incidents and give investigators more reliable data.

Mesa Police Chief Ken Cost emphasized that the system is not a surveillance tool but a focused safety measure designed to reduce violent crime and improve community trust. He said the grant will help the department place sensors in additional high‑need areas identified through crime data and community feedback.

The city plans to begin installation later this year, with full deployment expected once equipment, mapping, and testing are complete. Officials say the expansion will not replace traditional policing but will serve as an important tool to support officers and enhance neighborhood safety.