City officials announced on Tuesday that the contract with gunshot detection technology ShotSpotter will not be renewed by the City of Chicago after this summer.The city has been utilizing the service since 2018 to promptly notify law enforcement about incidents involving gunshots.
The office of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced on Tuesday morning that its contract with SoundThinking, the company that owns the ShotSpotter technology, will be extended until September 22nd, but will not be renewed after that.
The decision has been made as the city was facing a Friday deadline for its $49 million contract with ShotSpotter. ShotSpotter operates a network of acoustic sensors that alert police of gunfire.
A recent report by the Chicago Inspector General has raised significant concerns regarding the ongoing use of ShotSpotter technology by the Chicago Police Department.
The report revealed that a mere 9% of gunshot alerts were found to be connected to gun-related crimes. Additionally, it raised concerns about the effectiveness of officers’ responses to ShotSpotter alerts.
On the other hand, the Chicago Police Department and other law enforcement agencies have commended the technology for its ability to quickly identify shootings and improve emergency response times, potentially saving lives.
Officials stated that the response time is significantly quicker compared to relying on individuals to call 911 to report gunfire.
“In order to combat the rise in violent crime, the City of Chicago is committed to utilizing its resources in the most effective ways possible,” stated a representative from the city. “Engaging with the community, violence prevention organizations, and law enforcement allows us to create a brighter future for a safer Chicago.”
According to officials, law enforcement and other leaders will provide suggestions on alternative tools and programs to mitigate violence until the technology is decommissioned. The effectiveness and cost of the gunfire detection system have faced criticism.
According to the company’s website, the equipment utilizes acoustic sensors to accurately locate the sound of gunfire, and promptly relays this information to the police within a minute.
The city has been utilizing the service since 2018 to promptly notify the police about incidents involving gunshots.
Johnson Vows to Cancel Soundthinking Contract Due to Reliability Concerns
Throughout Johnson’s 2023 mayoral campaign, he made a promise to terminate the city’s $33 million contract with SoundThinking, highlighting its unreliability and referencing incidents such as the tragic police shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo in 2021.
Toledo’s death sparked intense debate surrounding the city’s gunshot detection system. Critics argue that the system fails to effectively assist law enforcement in addressing crime and violence, and instead exacerbates the issue of over-policing in Black and Latino communities.
