Chicago's ShotSpotter contract to end Friday; unclear what happens then
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The City of Chicago's contract with the controversial gunshot detection company ShotSpotter ends on Friday – and right now, it is unclear what will happen when the contract ends.
Mayor Brandon Johnson announced this week that he would end the city's agreement with the company – but he wanted to extend their services through the summer.
However, ShotSpotter parent company SoundThinking has not agreed to the extension – which could mean the system is turned off right away when the contract ends.
Late Thursday, CBS 2 heard from SoundThinking, which is holding firm on a demand for a 12-month extension – several months longer than what the mayor wants.
Mayor Johnson was asked multiple times, yes or no, whether ShotSpotter will be turned off on Friday. He did not really provide an answer.
"The contract, of course, we know when the date of the contract ends. There's no secret there. But I've been clear from the very beginning that retiring and moving away from this particular form of technology – while providing a runway – is what I said. That's the understanding that you all should work with," Mayor Johnson said at a news conference Thursday. "Moving away, and transitioning out, is what I've made my commitment towards. I've been clear from the very beginning, and I'm still clear. Those conversations that we've had over time have led us to this decision. From the very beginning, we were clear about what I've already announced. That is still in place."
On Tuesday, the Mayor's office released a statement saying they wouldn't
The mayor said that was not his understanding. The most recent contract amendment with the city clearly states the contract ends Friday, Feb. 16.
The mayor said repeatedly that he hopes to provide law enforcement some cushion time to adjust to phasing out the technology. But again, he did not say for certain if that time would actually be granted.
"I've been very clear from the very beginning of what this process entails," Mayor Johnson said, "and that's what the process entails."
But while the mayor said everything is clear with regard to the ShotSpotter contract, reporters asking the questions Thursday were not so clear.
SoundThinking also said the mayor got ahead of himself by announcing the extension to which they did not agree.
Chicago Police leaders and several aldermen have said ShotSpotter has been a key tool for investigating gun crimes.
But the MacArthur Justice Center and the Chicago Office of the Inspector General published separate reports that revealed the vast majority of ShotSpotter deployments turn up no evidence, reportable incident, or crime.
This is the full statement released by a spokesperson for SoundThinking on Thursday:
"ShotSpotter has been deployed in the City of Chicago for 7 years and has been aware of the pending contract expiration on February 16, 2024.
"Throughout much of 2023, SoundThinking attempted to engage the City of Chicago regarding an extension of the ShotSpotter service. As recently as December, 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was presented to the city for a 12-month extension.
"This same MOU was recently presented to the city. This resulted in preliminary discussions regarding a concept proposed by the city of an 8-9 month extension, enabling the city to complete a formalized RFP and evaluation for acoustic gunshot detection.
"Contrary to those discussions and without consultation with SoundThinking, on February 12, 2024, Mayor Johnson announced a decommission plan, involving an extension of ShotSpotter through September 22,2024, one month after the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
"We believe the shared goal of an extension period must provide the best possible data and analysis to the residents of the City of Chicago through greater transparency and reporting standards. The way this is secured is through a minimum 12-month extension and modifications to the city's current data and reporting protocols.
"SoundThinking stands ready to continue its partnership with the City of Chicago to help address the tragic plague of gun violence."
