Chicago Divided Over Renewal of ShotSpotter Contract Amid Effectiveness Concerns

As the deadline approaches, Mayor Brandon Johnson weighs the future of the gunshot detection system, facing pressure from police officials and community members.

Residents and officials in Chicago are divided over the renewal of the city's contract with ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system, amid concerns about its effectiveness and impact on communities.
Critics argue that ShotSpotter leads to over-policing in Black and Brown neighborhoods and has minimal impact on gun violence prosecution, while supporters claim it saves lives and aids in evidence collection.
Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson faces pressure to decide on the contract's renewal by February 16, with opposition from police officials and some community members advocating for its continuation.
A review by the Cook County state's attorney's office found ShotSpotter to be an expensive tool with little effect on prosecuting gun violence cases, leading to calls for its cancellation.
Police Superintendent Larry Snelling supports ShotSpotter, emphasizing its potential to save lives and assist in police response, despite criticisms and calls for alternative solutions to gun violence.