DPS Chief: Gunfire detection program would be a game changer for the city

SIKESTON —  Sikeston Department of Public Safety Director Jim McMillen spoke about the ShotSpotter gunfire detection program Monday, Oct. 2 during Sikeston City Council’s regular meeting.

In an attempt to acquire a gunshot detection device, DPS submitted an application for the Bureau of Justice Association (BJA) fiscal year 2023 Rural and Small Department Violent Crime Reduction award. 

To improve residents’ safety, McMillen said the system will concentrate on areas with gun fires and crimes linked to firearms. 

McMillen said Cape Girardeau has a comparable program that has been called “a game changer.” 

Gunshots aren’t always reported, McMillen said, and the detection software would be of great assistance to them by providing information about the location of the shot.

“If you’ve ever heard a gunshot go off in the neighborhood, you don’t know exactly where it’s coming from, but this will actually locate it within a few feet,” McMillen said.

Council was shown a video by McMillen that demonstrated ShotSpotter’s functionality. 

According to McMillen, the Department of Justice gave the City of Sikeston $297,000 to pay the program’s expenses for three years. 

McMillen said the service covers two square miles for $99,000 a year. Upon the completion of the three-year program, there is no financial commitment to maintain the ShotSpotter program or technology. At the meeting on Oct. 30, the council will vote on whether to approve and accept the program.

The council approved the House of Refuge Domestic Violence Shelter receiving 2024 Domestic Violence Surcharge Shelter Funding in an amount not to exceed $7,500.

According to Rhonda Council, the city clerk, the state established a funding source for domestic violence abuse shelters in 2002. On all municipal court convictions, a $4-Domestic Violence Shelter Surcharge was imposed. The funds are held by the city and given to domestic violence shelters in the municipality via an application procedure.

“On Sept. 18, 2023, the House of Refuge submitted an application for funding in the amount of $7,500,” according to council. “The application meets all the requirements and if Sikeston’s municipal court caseload remains at current levels at least $5,000 in domestic violence shelter surcharge fees should be generated.”

The council granted permission to negotiate and carry out a contract with the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission, as well as to approve the selection of the grant administrator for the Legion Park Community Revitalization Project.

A call for proposals for grant administration for the Legion Park Community Revitalization Project was published on Aug.11.

According to Jay Lancaster, director of Sikeston Public Works, three groups submitted proposals: ZGB Consulting, MarksNelson and the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission. 

Lancaster said the Professional Service Committee met the staff on Sept. 20 to examine the suggestions that were presented.

“We are bringing forth a recommendation to select Bootheel Regional Planning Commission as the grant administrator,” Lancaster said.

The council also approved a contract with Gateway Design for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Legion Park Community Revitalization Project.

Lancaster said on Aug. 28, the council approved Gateway Design for the RFQ process for the ARPA Legion Park Community Revitalization Project.

“They have sent us a pretty decent contract to approve and execute, and because we didn’t technically include the contract approval and execution in the previous selection, we wanted to be thorough and bring it back to council,” Lancaster said. 

Lancaster said the contract has been reviewed and discussed with the owner of Gateway Design, Patrick Worzer.

In other action by the council:

— Authorize surplus aviation fuel system aviation fuel system

— Authorize surplus DPW vehicles and equipment

— First Reading of Bill No. 6327 Amend Chapter 505, Article III - Obstructing Public Ways. The bill is to change the understanding of overhanging trees on sidewalks, streets, and alleys. The new parameters will be eight feet for sidewalks and 15 feet for streets and alleys. This will also give a better understanding of expectations to protect pedestrians and vehicular traffic.