Gunshot detection tech’s future on Chicago ballots as Johnson pushes pilot
(The Center Square) – On Chicago ballots Tuesday is a question with the potential for voters to recommend the city reverse course on a cancelled contract for gunshot detection technology, which was removed from the city by Mayor Brandon Johnson following his election.
The ballot question asks, “Should the City of Chicago restart the use of gunshot detection technology that informs first responders when gunshots are detected?”
In 2024, the ShotSpotter technology around the city was taken offline as a fulfillment of a campaign promise from the mayor.
“We have spent $100 million on what essentially is walkie talkies on a stick,” Johnson said when the contract was cancelled.
Johnson has since changed course on the technology, somewhat following efforts by the city council to force the city to accept bids to again deploy it citywide.
Ahead of a proposed ordinance being brought forward to council, the Department of Public Safety announced the pilot program would soon begin.
Johnson said last week the removal of the technology was done because it was ineffective.
“One of the reasons why ShotSpotter was such a failure is because it was the antithesis of my moral standards, right? Not only did it not lead to arrests and convictions, all the OIG reports indicated that it was an ineffective tool,” Johnson said.
The mayor maintained that the removal of gunshot detection technology as shootings have dropped has shown the tech isn’t necessarily needed, but his administration could implement it in ways more in line with his public safety goals.
“Since its removal, we’ve had the lowest amount of homicides and shootings in 60 years. I do think that there is room for us to make sure that technology is advancing our society and it’s not being used to replace our society or punish people,” Johnson said.
The pilot program, intended to be deployed in six police districts across the city, is expected to begin sometime soon – with Johnson’s office projecting it would share updates on the deployment in early November.
Alderman Marty Quinn, who introduced the ballot question, has been critical of the Johnson administration for introducing the pilot program alongside other aldermen, calling it a tactic to delay full implementation of the program.
Alderman Matt O’Shea was critical of the initial cancellation during the budget hearing.
“We were told leadership in the police department opposed that decision, the majority of the city council opposed that decision, and we were told that there would be a replacement. Here we are 25 months later and we don’t have a replacement,” O’Shea said.
O’Shea didn’t receive answers to his questions about what company will be fulfilling the technology for the pilot program, but CPD officials told the alderman they believe the technology will be useful if put back in place.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
