Recently, several unexpected gunshot detectors were installed along the Martinsville section of the Dick & Willie Trail, which offers miles of walking, running and biking paths through Henry County and Martinsville.
While such sensors are not uncommon in urban areas, their placement along a nature trail has raised concerns among local residents.
The devices were installed without the knowledge of Henry County Parks and Recreation, which manages the trail system. The issue came to light after concerned community members called and emailed the department with questions.
“We were not aware of that,” said Roger Adams, director of the county Parks and Recreation Department. “A couple of people have called us that they were being scanned in some sort of database, (but) they are gunshot detectors.”
The department began investigating how the devices came to be installed along the trail.
“We don’t know all the exact details, but we are guessing some company put them in for them, and they spread them out over a certain distance.” Adams said, adding he is checking to determine which right of way the sensors are in.
“We thought they (county) were notified,” Chad Rhoads, Deputy Chief of the Martinsville Police Department, said. He added that relocating the devices would be a straightforward process.
He added that he personally walks the trail three to four times a week and understands the concerns of local residents.
The Flock Safety sensors were installed by a private contractor hired by the city, Rhoads said. Placement was determined by coverage radius, which included portions of the Dick & Willie Trail.
Rhoads said it would not be an issue to relocate the devices.
“We’ve had to move (them) before,” he said. “The detectors have been installed in inopportune spots before, and when complaints came in, they were moved.”
The sensor closest to the trail is located near Northside Drive. While it is not directly on the trail, another sensor can be seen from the side of the road while walking the trail along Hooker Street.
There is no timeline yet for whether the sensor near the trail will be removed, but county officials are preparing to survey the area to assess options.
