In another major city, a controversial crime-fighting tool is facing uncertainty. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office announced on Tuesday that they will not renew their contract with “ShotSpotter” when it expires in September. This decision has raised questions about the future of the program in Houston.
RoShawn Evans, a vocal critic of “ShotSpotter,” opposed its implementation in Houston, which was approved through a five-year contract in January 2022. The technology, designed to detect gunshots and alert law enforcement, is installed in neighborhoods labeled as “high crime.” Despite claims of 97% accuracy by SoundThinking, formerly known as ShotSpotter, Evans doubts its reliability and advocates for reallocating the $3.5 million invested in the program to address community needs like food insecurity, mental health, and housing.
Moreover, Evans raises concerns about potential profiling and arrests of innocent individuals, particularly in Black and brown communities where “ShotSpotter” is predominantly deployed.
On the contrary, Andy Kahan of Crime Stoppers supports “ShotSpotter,” believing it aids crime prevention and reduces police response times. However, data analysis revealed that less than 5% of alerts led to arrests between December 2020 and September 2022. Several cities, including Dayton, San Antonio, Charlotte, and New Orleans, terminated their agreements with ShotSpotter due to similar concerns.
Chicago’s decision to end its $49 million contract after six years, following a fatal police shooting triggered by a ShotSpotter alert, has fueled discussions about the program’s efficacy and impact.
While Evans hopes Houston follows suit, considering Mayor John Whitmire’s recent tenure, Kahan suggests patience before evaluating the program’s effectiveness, urging completion of the contracted period for a comprehensive assessment.
Despite inquiries, the Houston Police Department and Mayor Whitmire’s office remained silent on the matter. SoundThinking’s CEO, Ralph Clark, emphasized ShotSpotter’s positive impact in Chicago, highlighting its role in locating gunshot victims and garnering community support for gunshot detection technology.
In another major city, a controversial crime-fighting tool is facing uncertainty. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office announced on Tuesday that they will not renew their contract with “ShotSpotter” when it expires in September. This decision has raised questions about the future of the program in Houston.
RoShawn Evans, a vocal critic of “ShotSpotter,” opposed its implementation in Houston, which was approved through a five-year contract in January 2022. The technology, designed to detect gunshots and alert law enforcement, is installed in neighborhoods labeled as “high crime.” Despite claims of 97% accuracy by SoundThinking, formerly known as ShotSpotter, Evans doubts its reliability and advocates for reallocating the $3.5 million invested in the program to address community needs like food insecurity, mental health, and housing.
Moreover, Evans raises concerns about potential profiling and arrests of innocent individuals, particularly in Black and brown communities where “ShotSpotter” is predominantly deployed.
On the contrary, Andy Kahan of Crime Stoppers supports “ShotSpotter,” believing it aids crime prevention and reduces police response times. However, data analysis revealed that less than 5% of alerts led to arrests between December 2020 and September 2022. Several cities, including Dayton, San Antonio, Charlotte, and New Orleans, terminated their agreements with ShotSpotter due to similar concerns.
Chicago’s decision to end its $49 million contract after six years, following a fatal police shooting triggered by a ShotSpotter alert, has fueled discussions about the program’s efficacy and impact.
While Evans hopes Houston follows suit, considering Mayor John Whitmire’s recent tenure, Kahan suggests patience before evaluating the program’s effectiveness, urging completion of the contracted period for a comprehensive assessment.
Despite inquiries, the Houston Police Department and Mayor Whitmire’s office remained silent on the matter. SoundThinking’s CEO, Ralph Clark, emphasized ShotSpotter’s positive impact in Chicago, highlighting its role in locating gunshot victims and garnering community support for gunshot detection technology.
