More than 72% of Chicago voters have come out in favor of resuming the use of gunshot detection technology. The result of Tuesday’s referendum is a clear signal to city officials, who have not used the ShotSpotter system for more than two years. The vote is not binding, however, and does not mean the technology will automatically be reinstated.
ShotSpotter Switched Off in 2024
The referendum asked whether Chicago should again use technology that detects the sound of gunfire and automatically alerts emergency services.
The ShotSpotter system was shut off in 2024, when Mayor Brandon Johnson terminated the city’s contract with SoundThinking. He justified the decision by citing doubts about the technology’s effectiveness and its impact on policing in communities of color.
Supporters of the system argue that it allowed officers to respond more quickly to shootings that are not always reported to the 911 emergency number. Former Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson has said the alerts enabled officers to intervene before anyone called for help.
Dispute Over the Effectiveness of Gunshot Detection Technology
Researchers from the University of Chicago have also joined the debate over the effects of switching off the system. Their analysis found that after ShotSpotter was withdrawn, the average police response time in the police districts where the system had previously operated fell by 4.2 minutes.
Some aldermen believe, however, that the city should look for a new solution rather than automatically returning to the previous system. Alderman William Hall stressed that other companies operate on the market and that it is possible to find a technology that meets the needs of the police.
Alderman Marty Quinn, in turn, criticized the decision to eliminate ShotSpotter and called on the next mayor to restore the gunshot detection system.
City Tests New Solution, With $5 Million in the Budget
The mayor’s administration is preparing a pilot test of a new technology in six police districts on Chicago’s South and West sides. It has not yet been disclosed which companies will take part in the project or exactly how it will work.
Nine companies are competing for the contract to replace the previous system. Among them is SoundThinking, the maker of ShotSpotter.
Chicago’s 2026 budget sets aside $5 million that could go toward a new gunshot detection contract. That is less than the $9 million earmarked for the purpose in the 2025 budget.
The referendum result increases pressure on city officials but does not obligate them to bring back ShotSpotter. The final decision will rest with the Chicago administration.
Source: Polski.FM
