Denver's ShotSpotter gunshot detection system contract set to expire
The Denver Police Department says it will phase out the use of ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology by the end of 2026 as the company's contract comes to an end.
The system uses acoustic sensors to detect loud, explosive sounds that may indicate gunshots in the area. The sensors record the location and time, and the data is reviewed by staff at the company's review center to determine if the sound was gunfire and what type of weapon was used. Then the system notifies the 911 call center or patrol officers to respond to the location.
The city began using the technology in 2015, and the Denver City Council approved a $4.7 million contract with the company in 2021 that is set to expire in December of this year.
When the contract was approved, the Associated Press reported on national concerns about the effectiveness of this technology and its potential to disproportionately affect minority communities. Axios reported that from 2020 to 2021, ShotSpotter alerts in Denver increased 25%, but arrests during that period increased 2%.
At the time, Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas told CBS Colorado, "The reason why we keep reapplying, why we keep negotiating, is because we believe in this technology."
In a release on Thursday, the police department said, "From 2020 through June 2026, the program produced 25,217 alerts leading to 655 arrests and the recovery of 721 firearms. Officers located shell casings as evidence associated with 6,672 of the alerts."
As the contract comes to a close, the DPD says it will begin removing the technology from areas with the fewest alerts, with most sensors remaining operational through the remainder of the year. They say the city plans to launch a bidding process to evaluate and update its capabilities and get community input on how best to reallocate resources.
"The goal of the Denver Police Department is to prevent and address gun violence to the greatest degree possible, and just as it's important to continue implementing proven best practices in policing methodology, using the most advanced and flexible gunshot detection technologies can help to make our community safer," said Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas.
"Denver continues to evolve its response to gun violence and prevention efforts by incorporating a number of investigative strategies, tactics, technologies, and partnerships," the release states. "The Denver Police Department will continue to provide additional information about community engagement opportunities as the process moves forward."
