Chicago Secures Last-Minute Renewal of ShotSpotter Contract

The controversial gunshot detection system will remain in operation through September, following intense negotiations and amid public safety concerns.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson secures a last-minute renewal of the ShotSpotter contract, avoiding a shutdown of the gunshot detection system.
The renewal comes amid controversy and criticism, with Johnson initially promising to end the contract to fulfill a campaign pledge.
ShotSpotter, criticized for inaccuracy and bias, has been defended by law enforcement and some community members as a vital public safety tool.
The decision to keep ShotSpotter operational through September aims to ensure safety during the summer and the Democratic National Convention.
Negotiations with ShotSpotter's parent company, SoundThinking, were fraught, reflecting tensions between public safety priorities and political promises.