Chicago has announced it will discontinue the use of ShotSpotter, a controversial gunshot detection technology deemed defective by critics, after the Democratic National Convention leaves town. The decision, described by Mayor Brandon Johnson as addressing concerns that the technology unfairly targeted communities of color and was influenced by politics and financial considerations rather than public safety, has been met with mixed reactions. Advocates, particularly Black & Brown youth involved in the @StopShotspotter campaign, hailed the move as a victory for public safety. However, critics, including Alderman Beale who called the decision "horrible," argue it makes Chicago "a lot less safe and a lot more dangerous" and was driven by allegations of racial bias. The technology's discontinuation has also negatively affected the stock of ShotSpotter's parent company.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?! Democrat Mayor says Chicago will stop using gunshot detection technology this year...AFTER the Democratic National Convention https://t.co/1lleYpyVeg
Chicago just became a lot less safe and a lot more dangerous as socialist Mayor Brandon Johnson ends the use of ShotSpotter to help police nab the bad guys because it "disproportionately targets minorities." https://t.co/O8rGsDdV9b
Chicago mayor cancels gunfire surveillance system because it "unfairly targeted communities of color" https://t.co/PexRhBfnWY https://t.co/PexRhBfnWY
Shotspotter uses acoustics to determine where gunshots are coming from. The idea that it could target anyone based on race is ludicrous. But this is where we are now. https://t.co/tbd4ISXu78
Scrapping ShotSpotter is a victory for unhinged activists. For decades, activists have stripped police of all moral authority by declaring officers and the tools CPD uses to defeat crime as "racist." Activists will now expect CPD to achieve better results with fewer tools. https://t.co/2nORyBj6pH
The problem with ShotSpotter is that it detects the people who are firing guns in the city of Chicago. This is racist. https://t.co/2K198UFEsq
Well, at least @Alderman_Beale gets it. "If ShotSpotter is so bad, cancel it now!" Calling the decision to dump ShotSpotter "horrible," Ald. Beale explains politics and money, not public safety, drove @ChicagosMayor's decision to end it. Well done, Alderman Beale. https://t.co/A8ACt3CnJJ
Chicago to stop using controversial ShotSpotter technology, and parent company’s stock tumbles https://t.co/ZBiEy4fW9v
Chicago to stop using controversial gunshot detection technology https://t.co/qcyFl4cvSv
The end of ShotSpotter (after the DNC leaves town, of course) only reveals Chicago's political leaders have once again caved to the demands of a mob. https://t.co/GUOS9RkuK4
Thank you, Mayor Johnson, for keeping your promise & ending the use of defective ShotSpotter technology. I applaud the grassroots organizers, particularly the Black & Brown youth, whose work through the @StopShotspotter campaign made today's sound public safety decision possible. https://t.co/2ZKxmW8pF3