SoundThinking, Inc. donates $10,000 to Ella French Scholarship Fund

CHICAGO — The Chicago Police Foundation accepted a $10,000 check that will help provide scholarships for children of Chicago police officers.

The check was signed by SoundThinking, Inc. President & CEO Ralph Clark. SoundThinking is the parent company of ShotSpotter.

This year, the foundation hopes to award 25 $2,000 scholarships as part of the Ella French Scholarship Fund.

French was shot and killed in the line of duty in 2021.

“A scholarship out there that’s going to help others is a wonderful legacy for your child to have,” Elizabeth French, Ella’s mom, said.

“I’m particularly and personally thrilled to be involved in producing some financial resources to support the children of officers to go off and pursue their educational objectives,” Clark said.

It comes amid renewed debate about whether to keep the gunshot detection technology in the city.

Supporters note it was ShotSpotter that led the Chicago Police Department to Officer Luis Huesca who was shot and killed in Gage Park while returning home from his shift last week.

Funeral services held for fallen CPD Officer Luis Huesca

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is ending the city’s use of ShotSpotter but he signed an extension until Sept. 22, followed by a two-month transition period.

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

Clark declined to comment on the debate.

“We’ve been long-term partners with the City of Chicago and the CPD for a number of years and we lean in every single day in the doing the very important work in hopefully helping the Chicago PD keep the residents of Chicago safe,” Clark said.

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