Potential end of ‘ShotSpotter’ in Houston following Chicago’s decision to sever ties with gunfire detection system
In a surprising move, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office announced that the city will be allowing its contract with the makers of ShotSpotter to expire. ShotSpotter, a technology developed by SoundThinking, has been criticized by activists as being too costly and ineffective, leading to the decision to sever ties. This decision has raised concerns among supporters who argue that dropping the program will have a detrimental impact on the communities that need it the most. However, critics maintain that the technology has not lived up to its touted potential.
ShotSpotter is a gunfire detection system used by law enforcement agencies to respond to shootings faster by detecting the sound of gunshots and automatically alerting police, sometimes even before a 911 call is made. Chicago has been utilizing this technology since 2018 but recent events, such as the chase and deadly police shooting of a 13-year-old in 2021, have fueled criticisms regarding its effectiveness and cost.
The catalyst for Chicago’s decision seems to be the incident involving the 13-year-old, which started after a ShotSpotter alert. Activists argue that the technology failed to prevent the tragic outcome, leading to doubts about its efficacy. However, supporters contend that dropping the program will leave communities vulnerable and hinder law enforcement’s ability to respond quickly to shootings.
While Chicago debates the fate of ShotSpotter, Houston is also grappling with similar concerns. A report by ABC13 partners at the Houston Chronicle reveals that residents in Houston, particularly in Black and brown communities where the technology is predominantly embedded, do not feel that ShotSpotter is making a significant difference. In fact, it is making them uncomfortable about their relationship with law enforcement.
The report examined 6,300 alerts made between December 2022 and March 2023. Shockingly, more than 80% of these alerts were canceled, marked as unfounded, or dismissed as information calls because officers could not find any evidence of a shooting. The Houston Police Department’s own report to the city council in February 2023 revealed that out of over 5,400 alerts, there were only 99 arrests and 126 charges.
This discrepancy between the number of alerts and actual arrests raises doubts about ShotSpotter’s effectiveness in Houston. Supporters argue that the technology has helped police respond to shootings more efficiently, but critics maintain that it has never lived up to its promises. The technology’s president, Ralph Clark, acknowledged that ShotSpotter is not perfect but emphasized that it exceeded accuracy requirements under the contract.
The future of ShotSpotter in Houston remains uncertain. ABC13 reached out to Houston Mayor John Whitmire’s office for comment, but no response has been received yet. Houston began investing millions into ShotSpotter back in 2020, but with the technology’s effectiveness being questioned and Chicago severing ties, it raises doubts about its future in Houston as well.
While supporters of ShotSpotter worry that doing away with the technology could lead to an increase in violence, others argue that the funds could be better allocated to alternative solutions. For instance, investing in more license plate reading technology to combat carjackings has been suggested as a viable alternative use for the funds.
Chicago’s decision to end its contract with SoundThinking and decommission ShotSpotter on September 22, 2024, is seen as a significant blow to the technology’s reputation. The city plans to assess other tools and programs that effectively increase safety and trust in the community and issue recommendations accordingly. In the interim period, the Chicago Police Department aims to revamp operations within the Strategic Decision Support Centers, implement new training, and develop response models to gun violence that reduce shootings and increase accountability.
As cities like Chicago and Houston grapple with the effectiveness and cost of ShotSpotter, the future of this gunfire detection system remains uncertain. While some argue for its continued use to aid law enforcement, others believe that alternative solutions should be explored. Only time will tell how this debate will unfold and if other cities will follow in Chicago’s footsteps.
