City, ShotSpotter agree to keep gunshot detection technology active in Chicago through Sept. 22
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The city's contract with controversial ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology had been to expire Friday, but the company behind the technology agreed late Friday to allow ShotSpotter services to keep operating through Sept. 22.
In announcing the cancellation of the contract with SoundThinking, the company behind ShotSpotter, the Mayor's office had said the contract would run through Sept. 22 – which would keep the technology in place through the Democratic National Convention this summer. But SoundThinking later said they had not agreed to any such extension.
This has now changed.
Late Friday, SoundThinking released this statement:
"In an effort to avoid any disruption in the critical ShotSpotter service to the citizens of Chicago, SoundThinking and the City of Chicago have reached an agreement for a contract extension that allows ShotSpotter services to continue through September 22, 2024, with an additional 2-month transition period to follow. SoundThinking will continue to provide the Chicago Police Department and the citizens of Chicago with the highest-quality gunshot detection services that the city has relied upon for the last seven years.
"SoundThinking will also continue to collaborate with the Chicago Police Department to develop the best possible metrics and analytics to drive transparency and optimize reporting."
The Mayor's office issued a similar statement Friday night:
"In an effort to avoid any interruption in the ShotSpotter service, the City of Chicago has signed an agreement with SoundThinking, Inc. for a contract extension through September 22, 2024, followed by a two-month transition period.
"During the period until September 22, 2024, law enforcement and other community safety stakeholders will assess various tools, data and programs that build upon increased safety and trust, and issue recommendations to that effect. In advance of the September termination date, the Chicago Police Department will work to revamp operations within the Strategic Decision Support Centers, implement new training and further develop response models to gun violence that ultimately reduce shootings and increase accountability.
"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. Doing this work, in consultation with law enforcement, community stakeholders, violence prevention organizations, and business and philanthropy partners, provides a pathway to a better, stronger, safer Chicago for all."
Before the announcement, the contract was poised to expire by the day's end. The Mayor's office had been silent on what that would have meant, but sources had told CBS 2 that Chicago Police officers had expected ShotSpotter to be turned off at midnight Friday night.
ShotSpotter technology uses acoustic sensors to detect and locate gunshots when they ring out. The sensors capture the time the shots fire – and the audio associated with the sound.
Asiaha Butler is co-founder and chief executive officer of the Resident Organization of Greater Englewood, otherwise known as R.A.G.E.
"We have members throughout the city of Chicago, and some of our members are mixed on this," Butler said. "Some people feel like extra surveillance that's not necessarily useful."
Butler has been living with ShotSpotter technology all over her community.
"I know, being in Englewood - where I live somewhere a baby was shot, actually – and ShotSpotter caught; the camera caught all the activity, and those folks were caught," Butler said.
CBS 2 recently obtained a leaked internal report from the Cook County State's Attorney's office – which found that only 1 percent of shooting incidents have ended in a ShotSpotter arrest.
"You know, it's not going to stop crime," said Butler. "But the purpose of the tool is supposed to be to actually solve a crime."
Still, many have said the have seen a positive impact when ShotSpotter does detect gunshots – and call it life-saving.
"Dispatch police officers to location – even in instances when the residents of that community – who more than likely heard the shots – have not called the police," said former Chicago Police Chief of Detectives Eugene Roy.
Roy said ShotSpotter is a valuable tool for detectives – who can use ballistic evidence found at ShotSpotter scenes to link crimes together.
"It can come back and link various crimes together, and give our investigators a head start and a one-up on solving these crimes," Roy said.
Mayor Brandon Johnson campaigned on a pledge to end the city's ShotSpotter contract.
