Could Houston be next to end ‘ShotSpotter’ after Chicago cuts ties with gunfire detection system?

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office announced the city’s decision to allow its contract with the makers of ShotSpotter, SoundThinking, to expire. The $49 million contract, originally set to end on Friday, will be extended until September 22 before concluding.

Critics of the gunfire detection system in Chicago, used since 2018, point to a 2021 incident involving a 13-year-old’s deadly police shooting triggered by a ShotSpotter alert as a key factor influencing the decision. While supporters in Chicago argue that discontinuing the program would negatively impact vulnerable communities, critics in Houston, where the technology is predominantly deployed in Black and brown neighborhoods, question its efficacy and its impact on community-police relations.

A report by partners at the Houston Chronicle revealed that out of 6,300 alerts made between December 2022 and March 2023, over 80% were deemed unfounded or canceled by officers. Despite supporters crediting ShotSpotter with enhancing police response to shootings, critics argue it has not lived up to its promised capabilities.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire’s office has been contacted for clarification on the city’s stance regarding ShotSpotter. The city began investing in ShotSpotter in 2020. During a recent public meeting, SoundThinking President Ralph Clark acknowledged concerns but emphasized that the technology met accuracy requirements outlined in the contract.

While supporters express concerns that discontinuing ShotSpotter could lead to an uptick in violence, others advocate reallocating funds for alternatives such as enhanced license plate reading technology to address carjackings.