Chicago Ends ShotSpotter Deployment, Explores New Strategies for Gun Violence Prevention
As the clock ticked past midnight on Sunday, the city of Chicago bid farewell to the ShotSpotter technology, a gun detection system that has been monitoring the city's streets for over six years. As NBC Chicago reports, the dismantling of the system started Monday, following a contentious period of debate among city leaders and with the expiration of its contract. NBC Chicago noted that Mayor Brandon Johnson, earlier this year, chose not to renew the contract with SoundThinking, the company that provides the technology.
Maintaining his stance, Mayor Johnson vowed to veto a City Council decision that attempted to keep the technology, having fallen just one vote short of a veto-proof majority. The city is now in a phase of considering alternatives for handling gun violence and public safety. "We're going to see what else is on the market," Deputy Mayor Garien Gatewood expressed to NBC Chicago, signaling the administration's readiness to explore fresh approaches.
Despite the wind-down of ShotSpotter, the Chicago Police Department assured residents that their commitment to public safety remains unchanged. "CPD frequently adjusts our public safety efforts based on the needs of our residents and the resources available to us. This is no different," the department stated, encouraging citizens to remain vigilant and report any incidents resembling gunfire to authorities. The comment was picked up by both ABC7 Chicago and NBC Chicago.
Concerns, however, have been voiced by some aldermen and community organizations about the potential public safety vacuum while the city searches for alternative technologies. Alderwoman Silvana Tabares voiced a chilling sentiment, "Starting tonight, every gunshot victim left bleeding in the streets of our city will be a worthy sacrifice in the eyes of the mayor for his radical agenda." On the other hand, 28th Ward Alderman Jason Ervin supports the decision to re-evaluate, considering the evolving tech landscape. According to a statement obtained by ABC7 Chicago, Mayor Johnson emphasized the need to invest in "the most effective strategies and tactics proven to accelerate the current downward trend in violent crime." As one era in Chicago's fight against gun violence closes, the search for its next chapter continues.
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