CPD squad cars with new crime-fighting technology hit streets

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The first batch of new Chicago police squad cars hit city streets Thursday. Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said the 40 vehicles are another tool to try to curb gun violence.

Each of the new police SUV are worth $47,000. They are equipped with a computer that can pull up ShotSpotter alerts in certain areas, access all police databases and get officers to crime scenes as efficiently as possible.

Johnson said gunshot-detection systems, real-time crime mapping, police databases and electronic crash reporting are some of the new crime-fighting tools in these vehicles.

Even the lights on these squad cars were designed for maximum impact. They are supposed to enhance police presence in neighborhoods. Johnson said the cars are meant to show the community that officers "are here to be a visible and trusted resource at all times."

Thursday's unveiling comes after a surge of violence over the holiday weekend, when 102 people were shot. Fifteen of those people died.

The CPD tried to prevent the bloodshed by increasing patrols on the streets, taking advantage of federal assistance and making use of crime fighting tools like ShotSpotter.

These new squad cars are the latest addition to the department's arsenal in its war on crime. There will be a total 550 of these vehicles on the streets by early next year.