In a growing trend, Chicago has decided to terminate its contract with SoundThinking, the California-based company behind the controversial gunshot-detection technology, ShotSpotter. This move comes as more than 150 cities nationwide utilize ShotSpotter to detect gunfire and enhance police responses. Chicago, one of the largest installations covering around 100 square miles, spent approximately $9 million annually on this technology.
While proponents argue that ShotSpotter aids in faster emergency responses, evidence suggests a different reality. Cities like Atlanta, Charlotte, New Orleans, and San Antonio have discontinued ShotSpotter over the past decade, citing research indicating its ineffectiveness in reducing gun violence, slowing police response times, and often failing to lead to evidence recovery.
Chicago’s decision aligns with a broader reassessment of strategies to combat gun violence. Critics argue that relying on tools like ShotSpotter, driven by profit-oriented vendors, lacks concrete evidence of effectiveness. Thomas Abt, a senior fellow at the Council on Criminal Justice, emphasizes the need for cities to focus on proven strategies to enhance community safety, particularly in times of strained resources.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s decision to discontinue ShotSpotter fulfills a campaign promise, deeming the technology ‘unreliable.’ An investigation by Chicago’s inspector general further revealed that ShotSpotter alerts rarely produced documented evidence of gun-related crimes.
Despite SoundThinking’s vigorous defense of ShotSpotter’s efficacy, the move by Chicago reflects a growing skepticism among cities regarding the technology’s value. While some, like Richmond, California, report positive outcomes, others, including Dayton, Ohio; Durham, North Carolina; and Portland, Oregon, have opted to abandon ShotSpotter in favor of community outreach programs.
Critics argue that ShotSpotter’s difficulty in distinguishing sounds, such as fireworks or car backfires, coupled with its potential to divert police resources from other emergencies, questions its overall contribution to public safety. As cities grapple with rising gun assault numbers, the debate over the effectiveness of gunshot-detection technology continues, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based decisions in law enforcement strategies.”