BOSTON -- The city of Boston hopes new technology will help police crack down on violence.

NewsCenter 5's Amalia Barreda reported that ShotSpotter's technology is already being used in two other states with positive results.

The ShotSpotter system can pinpoint the sound of gunfire within yards of its origin. It can dispatch police to shooting scenes within seconds because it is tied into 911.

City Councilor Robert Consalvo said the technology that has worked for other cities can work for Boston to control the problem of gun violence.

"This technology actually pinpoints within 10 feet where the discharge of where the weapon happens, sending the police and EMS to the exact location of the gunfire," he said. "It's going to bring the police on scene quicker -- allowing them, in my opinion, to potentially apprehend suspects before they leave the scene."

ShotSpotter would require equipping designated high-crime areas throughout the city with a network of acoustic sensors. The initial cost would be at least $500,000.

"This helps us to do more with less. While we're fiscally not able to put 300 more officers on, this will allow us to better what the existing officers can do," Consalvo said. "I think this is one of the biggest no-brainers to come down the pike in a long time. I do recognize there are costs associated with it, as I say. And I do want to make sure that we fully discuss the issue, which is why instead of moving forward to purchase the technology, I've called for a public hearing."

The hearing will be scheduled sometime in the next week to 10 days. As for the money to pay for the system, Consalvo said most cities that have the system have paid for it with federal funds. He said if Boston decides to buy the system, it might also look to Washington to pay for it.