Some aldermen raise new concerns about plan to end ShotSpotter in Chicago

CHICAGO — As Chicago mourns the loss of Officer Huesca, some city council members are raising new concerns about the city’s plan to get rid of ShotSpotter.

The alert led police officers to the scene where Huesca was shot early Sunday morning.

Chicago police officer dies after being shot overnight in Gage Park neighborhood, CPD confirms

As Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson winds down the city’s use of ShotSpotter, the tech is still up and running by police in cases we don’t hear about and in some of the most high-profile cases.

Amid a tragedy, there are more calls for the city to keep the controversial gunfire detection software, ShotSpotter.

“We’ve seen case after case where it brought an emergency response, an ambulance and the police department,” Ald. Matt O’Shea said.

Supporters of ShotSpotter point out not long after off-duty Officer Luis Huesca was shot in Gage Park, officers responded to a gunshot detection alert.

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Huesca was found with multiple gunshot wounds and died at the hospital.

“As I talk to police officers, our commanders, I believe that ShotSpotter helps keep people safe.

The acoustic gunshot detection system alerts police to gunfire within its coverage area and CPD says the tool often assists when a citizen does not place a 911 call.

But critics say ShotSpotter is ineffective and bias. A 2021 report by the MacArthur Justice Center that found nearly 86% of police deployments resulted in no formal reports of crime.

Also, community groups argue the technology leads to over-policing of marginalized people.

In February, Johnson announced he’d make good on a campaign promise to end the city’s use of ShotSpotter, but he signed an extension until Sept. 22, followed by a two-month transition period.

In recent weeks, a group of city council members pushed a measure that would give alders final say over ShotSpotter’s future use. But the mayor’s allies blocked it from consideration last week.

Today, Ald. Brian Hopkins said Johnson is listening to concerns raised by alders who want to keep the technology.

“He’s talking to us,” Hopkins said. “You know, he’s being a leader, he’s talking to us and he’s trying to work through this.”

Despite Hopkins take, the mayor offered no hint he’ll rethink his decision.

“My approach is comprehensive,” Johnson said. “I will continue to have a comprehensive approach.”

As the ShotSpotter debate rages, Johnson is implementing his community safety plan.

“To build a bigger, stronger, safer Chicago, we have to get at the root causes of violence,” Johnson said.

In public, Johnson has been making the case ShotSpotter responds to violence, it doesn’t prevent it.

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