ShotSpotter Gunshot Detection System to Remain in Use in Chicago Following Extension Agreement
The ShotSpotter gunshot detection system will continue to be utilized in Chicago until the fall of next year, thanks to a seven-month extension agreement between the city and its operator, SoundThinking. The decision comes after Mayor Brandon Johnson initially announced the system's decommissioning after the summer, which sparked concerns of an earlier shutdown. However, those fears were laid to rest with the extension announcement.
Efforts were made by SoundThinking and the city to ensure there would be no disruption to the ShotSpotter service. The technology's new end date is now set for September 22, followed by a two-month transition period.
The uncertainty surrounding ShotSpotter's future arose when Ald. Chris Taliaferro revealed that ShotSpotter representatives had planned to reject the extension, despite Mayor Johnson's commitment to extending the contract. This raised concerns that the system could cease operating as early as the following weekend, leaving the police without a vital tool. However, city officials remained optimistic that a deal would be reached to keep ShotSpotter running.
In preparation for the termination in September, the Chicago Police Department will be working on restructuring operations within the Strategic Decision Support Centers. This includes implementing new training programs and developing enhanced models for responding to gun violence incidents.
While company and city officials refrained from providing detailed information about the system's short-term future, Mayor Johnson stressed the importance of a transition period for the police force to shift away from ShotSpotter and adopt other emergency response tools. The confusion surrounding the system's future dampened Johnson's earlier progressive promise to end its usage, as activists have long targeted ShotSpotter. The technology gained notoriety this year following a tragic incident in which a gunshot alert resulted in the fatal police shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo.
Mayor Johnson's decision to discontinue the use of ShotSpotter in September was applauded by activists. They emphasized their intent to protest any replacement of the system with a similar tool. In response, Mayor Johnson made it clear that ShotSpotter will not be replaced by another gunshot detection system in Chicago.
Analyst comment
This news can be evaluated as neutral. The agreement to extend the use of the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system provides stability to the market and ensures that the tool will continue to be available to the police. The extension allows time for the Chicago Police Department to revamp operations and implement new training, indicating a proactive approach to addressing gun violence. The decision not to replace ShotSpotter with another similar tool shows Mayor Johnson’s commitment to progressive policies.
