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Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office recently announced plans to terminate the city’s contract with ShotSpotter, a controversial gunshot detection system, later this year.
The decision, made public on February 13, comes amid mounting criticism over the system’s accuracy, racial bias and its misuse by law enforcement.
ShotSpotter, which relies on an artificial intelligence algorithm and a network of microphones to identify gunshots, has been under scrutiny for its inaccuracies and alleged tendency to disproportionately target Black and Latino neighborhoods.
An investigation by The Associated Press, for example, revealed instances where ShotSpotter data was used erroneously as evidence in criminal cases, leading to wrongful accusations.
In addition, the city’s Office of the Inspector General found that less than one in 10 ShotSpotter alerts resulted in evidence of a gun crime, leading critics to question the usefulness of the system.
Chicago’s contract with SoundThinking, the company behind ShotSpotter, was initially set to expire on February 16, but was extended through to September 22, 2024.
The city has spent $49 million on the system since 2018.
“In an effort to avoid any disruption in the critical ShotSpotter service to the citizens of Chicago, SoundThinking and the City of Chicago have reached an agreement for a contract extension that allows ShotSpotter services to continue through September 22, 2024, with an additional 2-month transition period to follow,” SoundThinking said in a statement. “SoundThinking will continue to provide the Chicago Police Department and the citizens of Chicago with the highest-quality gunshot detection services that the city has relied upon for the last seven years. SoundThinking will also continue to collaborate with the Chicago Police Department to develop the best possible metrics and analytics to drive transparency and optimize reporting.
On its website, the company has boasted of signing $8 million in contracts for its software in 2023 alone, showing that despite hesitancy among some agencies, interest in the technology is still growing.
Chicago’s decision to discontinue the use of ShotSpotter technology by late September was applauded by community public safety groups who argued that the system often led to unnecessary and hostile encounters with law enforcement in marginalized communities.
Mayor Johnson, who campaigned on a promise to end the use of ShotSpotter, said the city would investigate alternative crime-fighting strategies.
“Chicago will deploy its resources on the most effective strategies and tactics proven to accelerate the current downward trend in violent crime,”
Despite opposition from police leaders who have praised the system, Johnson remained steadfast in his decision, calling for a more nuanced approach to public safety.
However, although he recognized the imperfections of the system, Police Superintendent Larry Snelling disagreed with the decision, stressing the importance of technology in crime fighting.
“Technology is where policing is going as a whole. If we’re not utilizing technology, then we fall behind in crime fighting,” Snelling cautioned.
The decision to end the ShotSpotter contract comes at a time when violent crime rates, including homicides and shootings, have seen a significant decline in Chicago.
However, concerns over accuracy and racial bias have prompted other cities like Charlotte, North Carolina, and San Antonio, Texas, to also terminate their contracts with ShotSpotter.
In response to the announcement, the Stop ShotSpotter Coalition praised the decision but urged for an earlier termination of the technology.
As the city transitions away from ShotSpotter, law enforcement and community safety groups will assess alternative tools and programs to address gun violence effectively.
“Moving forward, the city of Chicago will deploy its resources on the most effective strategies and tactics proven to accelerate the current downward trend in violent crime. Doing this work, in consultation with law enforcement, community stakeholders, violence prevention organizations, and business and philanthropy partners, provides a pathway to a better, stronger, safer Chicago for all,” the city wrote in a statement.
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