Chicago alderman argues ‘ShotSpotter ‘fulfills what it’s meant to do’

[October 23, 2024]  By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributor

(The Center Square) – Chicago Ald. Chris Taliaferro is skeptical of new city data that highlights how gunshot detection operator ShotSpotter did not alert police to at least 20% of all shootings in its service areas over a yearlong period beginning in 2023.

Last month, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson pulled the plug on the service that operated by instantly sending an alert to Chicago Police any time gunfire was detected in one of the South or West side neighborhoods where it was installed. As part of his rationale for ending the service, Johnson joined other critics in charging that the service too often led to over policing while actually doing little to reduce violent crime rates.

“My reaction is no technology is perfect,” Taliaferro told The Center Square. “No one ever claimed ShotSpotter will catch 100% of the shots fired, cars break down, computers break down, watches break, every form of technology known to man actually breaks at some point and is not 100%. I believe the technology fulfills what it’s meant to do and that's to detect gunfire.”

City officials counter over the last year ShotSpotter has fallen far below the 90% detection requirement of all “outdoor, unsuppressed gunfire above a .25 caliber” outlined in its contract. Reports are that breakdown includes at least 180 gun-related homicides and upwards of 600 nonfatal shootings.

A former Chicago Police sergeant, Taliaferro said people need to see the big picture when it comes to keeping city streets as safe as they can be.

A Chicago Police Department vehicle
Chicago Police Department via X

“Some said ShotSpotter leads to over policing in Black and brown communities, but we have to be realistic and understand that the majority of the victims that are shot are in Black and brown communities,” he said. “Some have argued that ShotSpotter doesn't necessarily save lives, but if we could get our police on the scene faster and get folks to the hospital faster and treated faster, it may possibly save a life.”

With the city now actively seeking proposals offering alternate services, Taliaferro vows the fight to keep residents safe and protected will go on, even as he admits he can’t be sure what that may come to look like.

“We're going to always push for the technology,” he said. “I do respect the fact that [Johnson] has [a Request For Information] that was initiated, but how do you pay for new technology when the company that we have is offering you a 40% discount from the rate that you paid in the past? Why would we enter and engage in another contract that's going to cost us $10 [million] to $15 million just to set it up while we're facing a $1.2 billion deficit for 2025. It just doesn't add up.”

In the weeks since ShotSpotter went offline, Taliaferro argued as many as eight gunshot victims have died in the streets across the city where there were no emergency 911 calls made to authorities.

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