Chicago police no longer using ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology, sensor takedown begins
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago has now officially moved on from ShotSpotter.
At midnight, the controversial gun detection technology was shut down as the contract expired. Monday is the first day of the 60-day decommissioning phase of the ShotSpotter contract, and the company has quietly and secretly begun taking down their equipment.
Monday is the first day in more than six years the city of Chicago will go without the gunshot detection technology.
Sensors are installed around the city in neighborhoods prone to shootings, and while most of the equipment is still in place, it is no longer transmitting real time data about gunfire to police.
"I've requested that ShotSpotter continue compiling all of the information and the data that they're gathering for the next 60 days during this phase out period, and then when the phase out period is complete, I'm going to ask them to present us with the data," said Alderman Brian Hopkins.
Aldermen overwhelmingly voted in favor of an ordinance that would allow them to keep the technology system last week. But Mayor Brandon Johnson vetoed it, saying, "The ultimate goal is to deploy resources on the most effective strategies and tactics proven to accelerate the current downward trend in violent crime. We have to explore better options that save more lives."
Twenty Eighth Ward Alderman Jason Ervin agrees, saying it's time to re-evaluate the technology that's cost the city tens of millions of dollars.
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"You have to me a misuse of the tool," Ervin said. "I think the tool should be used more from an intelligence perspective... and gathering info and being more predictive about where to put people."
"I think it opens the door for a lot of other initiatives. We're big here on a lot of police alternatives," said Leonardo Quintero, chairperson of the 12th District Police Council. "Whether it's organizations, organizers and non-profits, we want to make sure they have a voice and a chair when it comes to public safety, as well as creating block clubs."
Others wanted to keep the technology, like 23rd Ward Alderman Silvana Tabares who released a statement saying in part, "Every gunshot victim left bleeding in the streets of our city will be a worthy sacrifice in the eyes of the mayor for his radical agenda."
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Crystal Daughrity, who lives on the city's West Side, felt ShotSpotter did nothing to clean up the shootings in her neighborhood, and she has no problem with the company taking down the sensor near where she lives.
"Goodbye, good riddance. We need some active police to show up on a regular basis to come and check the neighborhood out. But this is like a desert here. The kids, no children live around here. It's not gangs over here," she said.
Other community leaders wanted it to stay.
"We hear the mayor talk about building a stronger, safer Chicago but this doesn't do that when you're taking away this type of technology," said Jason Huff with the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability.
Mayor Johnson announced the city is now looking into other avenues for different technology systems, with a "Request for Information" proposal form. The document spells out specific requirements for technology like, "have a method for investigating and screening out false positives and false negatives," "provide vetted confirmation within 60 seconds of incident" and "provide the ability to capture forensic information related to the incident."
Many city councilmembers who wanted to keep ShotSpotter are frustrated he did not start that process earlier in the year when he announced his intent to get rid of ShotSpotter.
"It affects public safety for the entire city. And if we're going to shut off this very effective system in favor of an as yet to be determined alternative that is just poor leadership, we should not have put ourselves in this position," said Hopkins.
Ald. Chris Taliaferro said CPD will now be left to rely solely on 911 calls.
"We're going to rely on them and we're going to rely on Supt. Larry Snelling to get us through this until we can get a sufficient technology in place," he said. And he believes they are up to the task.
The Chicago Police Department issued the following statement Sunday:
"Effective Monday, September 23, 2024, at 12:01 am, the Chicago Police Department will no longer be utilizing ShotSpotter technology. This does not change our commitment to public safety and building stronger neighborhoods for all of our residents. Our hardworking officers will continue to respond to crime and work to stop the trauma of violence plaguing our communities. CPD frequently adjusts our public safety efforts based on the needs of our residents and the resources available to us. This is no different. As we move forward, we remind residents to call 911 with as much information and detail as possible when they hear loud reports that could resemble gunfire. It's imperative that we all do our part to keep our city safe and protect our families."
