ShotSpotter deadline nears as debate continues at Chicago City Hall

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — One week before Chicago’s contract with the gunshot detection system ShotSpotter is set to expire, debate over the technology continues to rage on in the city.

“We have spent $100 million on what, essentially, is walkie-talkies on a stick,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday.

Johnson spoke to reporters following an unrelated event at Soldier Field, where he stood by his position to shut down hundreds of the ShotSpotter transmitters across Chicago.

“This so-called ‘device,’ that’s being pushed on us by corporate interests, not only has it failed, but they are more interested in chirp phones on a stick than they are invested in the communities who need jobs,” the mayor said. “That’s what we’re doing. We’re doing what works.”

He said that includes investing in education, housing and employment.

At Chicago City Hall, meanwhile, local leaders who support the use of ShotSpotter were continuing to try every tactic possible to stave off its cancellation. Alderpersons tried to pass a measure that would have ordered the Chicago Police Department to enter a new contract with the maker of ShotSpotter.

That proposal, though, was tabled in the Chicago City Council’s Rules Committee.

Committee Chair Ald. Michelle Harris (8th), who strongly favors ShotSpotter, said other procedural moves are underway, including another attempt to hold a special city council meeting related to ShotSpotter after the full city council meets on Wednesday

Special meetings, though, have failed to materialize in the past for lack of a quorum.

“I’m a proponent on ShotSpotter,” Harris said. “I love ShotSpotter … recently, I had a shooting in my ward. The police were there within minutes because of ShotSpotter — not because one resident called.”

The South Side alderwoman said she’s been told the Johnson administration is “working with a number of new technologies to do a replacement.” The administration, though, has not said what kind of technology that will be.

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