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Published on October 08, 2024
Chicago Leaders Advocate for Reinstatement of ShotSpotter in Response to Safety ConcernsSource: Salisburymistake, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Amid rising concerns over public safety, Chicago aldermen and community leaders are rallying behind an effort to reinstate the city's recently disabled ShotSpotter gunshot detection system. Citing incidents where delays in emergency response may have cost lives, officials are looking to potentially fill the system's gap in the city's anti-violence strategy. "We are here today because people are dying in neighborhoods that were once served by ShotSpotter," Ald. David Moore emphasized, as stated by NBC Chicago.

In a push to restore the system, which Mayor Brandon Johnson deactivated, a collective of aldermen and business figures has pledged $2.5 million towards the program's reinstatement. Although this figure falls short of the annual $9.6 million cost, supporters assert the urgency to have any system over no system. Ald. Stephanie Coleman shared, "Thanks to our business community, we have secured $2.5 million to assist us," as reported by NBC Chicago.

The call for ShotSpotter's return was propelled by recent incidents, notably the death of 19-year-old Sierra Evans, who was not discovered until over nine hours after being shot. Advocates for the system believe that it could have promptly alerted first responders, potentially saving her life. According to CBS News Chicago, supporters claim that when compared with 911 calls, ShotSpotter alerts yielded police responses approximately three minutes faster on average.

Nevertheless, skepticism about ShotSpotter’s efficiency remains, with critics pointing out a lack of significant impact on arrest rates and evidence collection. On the other hand, Rev. Michael Pfleger argued against sole reliance on 911 calls, noting that many "are discouraged from calling in, because they can't tell you exactly where it happened." In a report by CBS News Chicago, he stated, "Until we have something better, let's put something in place that can save lives." Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Garien Gatewood rebuffed the notion of public negotiation for ShotSpotter's contract, indicating the administration prefers to seek solutions in collaboration with the City Council and other stakeholders.