BELOIT, Wis. -- With the Fourth of July just days away, Beloit police are using their ShotSpotter system, designed to locate gunfire, to locate illegal fireworks.

Beloit Fire Chief Brad Liggett has been using fireworks to test the ShotSpotter system, which can identify the difference between gunshots and fireworks.

"The system is in place, and we're going to use it as an enforcement tool with the police department throughout the fireworks season," Liggett said.

Beloit Police Capt. Tom Dunkin said that since the system went live in April, it has identified nearly 850 gunshots, fireworks or engine backfires.

"(It picks up) anything that goes pop, boom or bang," Dunkin said.

That includes 314 reports of fireworks in the past two weeks -- all occurring in a one square mile section of the city.

"There are quite a few fireworks being shot off in our city. We know that. We've made it a priority to go out there and try and locate these individuals and also issue citations," said Dunkin.

Authorities said citations are on track to exceed the number written last year. Police said it's a matter of safety and they're handing out minimum $170 tickets.

"A couple years ago, we had a serious incident occur where a young lady ended up blowing off a couple fingers from holding a mortar. Also, there were times last year where people were actually shooting fireworks at squad cars," said Dunkin.

Any firework that explodes, goes airborne, or moves across the ground is illegal in the state of Wisconsin without a permit.

Officials said they'll be listening with ShotSpotter for any illegal fireworks.

"Once they arrive on the scene, (officers) can confiscate the illegal fireworks and issue a citation," said Liggett.

Fines in the city of Beloit can be as high as $700, depending on the type of firework, WISC-TV reported.

Because of the frequency of the fireworks, the police department is monitoring the system and dispatching its own officers instead of going through Rock County central dispatch.