The future of the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system in Chicago hangs in the balance as negotiations between the city and parent company SoundThinking reach an impasse. With Mayor Brandon Johnson's plan to end the technology by summer's end, the current $49 million contract with ShotSpotter is set to expire on Friday, potentially leaving 12 out of the city's 22 police districts without the vital system.

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, SoundThinking had proposed a one-year extension to continue the data collection and prove the system's effectiveness. However, the city did not act on the proposal, and instead, officials offered a shorter deal that would keep ShotSpotter operational until September 22. This would cover the historically violent summer months and the Democratic National Convention. Yet, SoundThinking remained committed to a longer deal.

In response, the mayor's office released a statement outlining plans for the future, albeit with few specifics. The city intends to reevaluate safety tools and programs in consultation with community stakeholders, law enforcement, and violence prevention organizations. The goal is to deploy resources more effectively and advance the downward trend in violent crime.

City Council members have expressed concern over the potential impact of discontinuing the ShotSpotter system on public safety. In 2020 alone, Chicago witnessed 617 homicides and over 2,400 shootings. Ald. David Moore introduced a proposal during a recent hearing to maintain the technology, reversing Mayor Johnson's decision. The proposal also aims to give Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling input in decisions regarding the removal or reallocation of police resources.

Ald. Chris Taliaferro, the chair of the Council's police and fire Committee, noted that SoundThinking's refusal to stay on through the summer comes as no surprise. Another anonymous alderperson claimed that the company declined the extension due to a low offer from the Johnson administration, which was lower than the amount paid to ShotSpotter in 2018.

If last-minute negotiations fail to salvage the contract extension, there are concerns about the adverse impact on police response times and overall effectiveness in combating gun violence. ShotSpotter is considered by proponents as a life-saving tool for officers responding to gunfire reports. However, critics argue that it is costly, ineffective, and contributes to overpolicing in minority communities where gun violence is prevalent.

The decision to end the ShotSpotter contract aligns with Mayor Johnson's campaign promise to invest in new resources that combat illegal guns without resorting to tactics like stop-and-frisk. Johnson criticized the technology for its perceived unreliability and susceptibility to human error, citing its role in the fatal police shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo in March 2021.

Multiple reports have questioned the effectiveness of ShotSpotter. A May 2021 study by the MacArthur Justice Center at Northwestern School of Law found that 86% of police deployments prompted by gunfire alerts resulted in no formal reports of crime. The city's Office of the Inspector General also concluded that the technology rarely leads to investigatory stops or evidence of gun crimes. Additionally, a recent review by the Cook County state's attorney's office found minimal impact on prosecuting gun violence cases.

While Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling continues to support ShotSpotter as an essential law enforcement tool, high-ranking police sources claim they have been excluded from recent contract negotiations. Former superintendent Eddie Johnson expressed concerns about turning off ShotSpotter, emphasizing its potential to save lives and assist in areas where gunfire is underreported.

As the Friday deadline approaches, the fate of the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system in Chicago remains uncertain. The decision to end or extend the contract will have significant implications for public safety and law enforcement efforts as the city grapples with reducing gun violence.