Imagine this: Microphones everywhere listening for gunshots and then alerting cops when a gunshot is actually heard. Not cheap. Their investment in this technology was $49 million dollars.

I'm not a cop and I don't live in Chicago, but I do recall a cop saying that the technology could work if you happen to have a cop less than a minute away since scenes like this tend to disperse quite quickly. Well, except for possible victims.

But I do have to say that I personally would not feel any "safer" having this system around, and other crime fighting techniques might work better. But that's just like, my opinion, man. Again, not a cop and don't live in Chicago.

Oh, it seems the ACLU didn't like the fact that these systems exist, which is interesting.

Story: https://apnews.com/article/sho...f1efb80296dbe9aff1ed

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago won’t renew its ShotSpotter contract and plans to stop using the controversial gunshot detection system later this year, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office announced Tuesday.

The system, which relies on an artificial intelligence algorithm and network of microphones to identify gunshots, has been criticized for inaccuracy, racial bias and law enforcement misuse. An Associated Press investigation of the technology detailed how police and prosecutors used ShotSpotter data as evidence in charging a Chicago grandfather with murder before a judge dismissed the case due to insufficient evidence.

Chicago’s contract with SoundThinking, a public safety technology company that says its ShotSpotter tool is used in roughly 150 cities, expires Friday. The city plans to wind down use of ShotSpotter technology by late September, according to city officials. Since 2018, the city has spent $49 million on ShotSpotter.

“Chicago will deploy its resources on the most effective strategies and tactics proven to accelerate the current downward trend in violent crime,” the city said in a statement. “Doing this work, in consultation with community, violence prevention organizations and law enforcement, provides a pathway to a better, stronger, safer Chicago for all.”

Johnson’s office said that during the interim period, law enforcement and community safety groups would “assess tools and programs that effectively increase both safety and trust,” and issue recommendations.

A SoundThinking representative didn’t have comment Tuesday.

Johnson, a first-term mayor, campaigned on a promise to end the use of ShotSpotter, putting him at odds with police leaders who have praised the system.

They argue that crime rates — not residents’ race — determine where the technology is deployed.

quote:

artificial intelligence … has been criticized for … racial bias…

The computer is racist. It can tell the color of a person’s skin by the sound of the shot fired from the person‘s gun?

A shot spotter in Chicago? Maybe it overloaded.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
A shot spotter in Chicago? Maybe it overloaded.

Probably sounds like 4th of July if you take all the shots and overlay them at the same time.

Must be all those great IL gunlaws working so well.

This is purely about statistics. Can’t have a lack of police response or arrests if no gunshots are reported. Sure as shit aren’t going to get calls about it

It's so "racist" that the contract ends Friday, but they will continue using it until 1 month after the DNC convention.

There was an off-duty Chicago officer shot & killed May 2023 with the shots alerted on by ShotSpotter but no response by the department.

(Thought was more recent than last May)

How many cops could that $49 million dollars have funded to provide actual policing in the areas most affected? Of course since the "defund the police" crowd doesn't think past the moment, why wouldn't they want to funnel these funds to a tech firm that probably used some of that money to support "friendly" politicians?

Sure....only listening for gunshots. What harm could there be putting spy mic's all over for big brother to listen in.

quote:

Originally posted by Ryanp225:
Sure....only listening for gunshots. What harm could there be putting spy mic's all over for big brother to listen in.

If you’re walking around those neighborhoods you’ll probably start seeing ads for ammo in your social media.

Seems pretty much right on par

I'm like to know the stats on the system. Did it lead to any arrests? My guess would be it wasn't worth the cost.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
A shot spotter in Chicago? Maybe it overloaded.

That is probably a near certainty given the urban paradise that Chiraq is these days.

On certain nights in certain areas I suspect they did not have the man power to respond to all the reports they were getting from the technology....

Works great in Boston !

I worked in a city with Shotspotter, and it worked absolutely fantastically if in a concentrated area with lots of officers.

Where I was, we had about 20+ officers in a 4 square mile area. We frequently had sub 1 minute responses. Almost always, I would venture to say. We caught a lot of bad guys and saved a lot of lives. We were very good at working with it.

Under less optimal circumstances, it is not worth the money.

So if the tech works, and other cities can utilize it, Chicago either has to admit it cannot utilize it, or that they do not want it to work??? Is that about right? Is this a new version of no bail, no chases, no arrests, and quietly encouraging crime??

Asshole

https://twitter.com/EndWokenes.../1757972884452970937

quote:

ShotSpotter just REJECTED an offer by Mayor Brandon Johnson to keep their technology in Chicago until after this summer's DNC

The gunshot-detection technology will be disabled starting Friday in Chicago

Democratic leaders in Chicago are fuming at Mayor Johnson for announcing termination without working out the deal first

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:
I worked in a city with Shotspotter, and it worked absolutely fantastically if in a concentrated area with lots of officers.

Where I was, we had about 20+ officers in a 4 square mile area. We frequently had sub 1 minute responses. Almost always, I would venture to say. We caught a lot of bad guys and saved a lot of lives. We were very good at working with it.

Under less optimal circumstances, it is not worth the money.

Chongo, good to see you posting.

I too would like to see the stats.