The city of Chicago won’t renew its contract to use controversial ShotSpotter technology, announcing that the equipment will be decommissioned later this…
The city of Chicago won’t renew its contract to use controversial ShotSpotter technology, announcing that the equipment will be decommissioned later this year.
According to a press release from Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office, the city’s contract with the company that manufactures and operates ShotSpotter will not be renewed when it expires on Friday. The city originally installed the equipment in 2012, according to officials.All devices currently in use in the city will be decommissioned on Sept. 22, according to city officials.
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly“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,” according to a statement from the city. “Doing this work, in consultation with community, violence prevention organizations and law enforcement, provides a pathway to a better, stronger, safer Chicago for all.
Activists argued that the technology is ineffective, and actually heightens the risk of violent encounters with police officers. The MacArthur Justice Foundation found that 89% of ShotSpotter reports led police to find no gun-related crime, and 86% turned up no crime at all,argue that treating gun violence as a public health issue, rather than a problem in need of “flashy new law enforcement surveillance tools,” is the proper approach.
Those in favor of the technology argue that it helps save lives by allowing for rapid deployment of resources to scenes of potential shootings, improving response times and offering the potential for rapid assistance for those injured by gunfire.
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