Chicago’s Mayor To End Controversial Gunshot Detection System

Chicago’s mayor is ending the city’s contract for a controversial gunshot detection system that critics say was too expensive, ineffective, and potentially prejudicial.

Brandon Johnson announced Tuesday that the city would soon stop using ShotSpotter, a gun detection software system that was established in 1996 — fulfilling a campaign promise to walk away from the technology.

Johnson insisted on his campaign website that the technology was “unreliable and overly susceptible to human error,” and added that it “played a pivotal role” in the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo.

Chicago police received a Shotspotter alert in March 2021. When police arrived, Toledo dropped the gun, attempting to flee, but Chicago police fatally shot him.

A year later, a lawsuit was filed against the police department and the technology saying police misused it with discriminatory policing practices.

Before the city fully steps away from the company, Johnson said the Chicago Police Department is tasked with revamping and implementing training to develop better solutions and models toward reducing shootings in the city, according to a statement.

“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,” the statement said.

“Doing this work, in consultation with community, violence prevention organizations and law enforcement, provides a pathway to a better, stronger, safer Chicago for all.”

The city will be entering a new deal with a parent company,SoundThinking, to cover additional months after the former $49 million contract expires on Feb. 16.

The gunshot technology company has been criticized for having issues