Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Springfield may renew its ShotSpotter contract. A final vote is next week.
The technology is supposed to help police determine where people are firing guns, though not everybody is embracing the system’s utility. The proposed new contract is for three years at just over $1.1 million. Citizen Aaron Cahill said it’s just not worth it. “What have we done in the area of ShotSpotter to fix the community?” Cahill asked. “Have we fixed abandoned buildings? Have we bulldozed garbage buildings that don’t need to be there? Have we put any money into repairs?”
In short, Cahill said ShotSpotter has never proven itself to reduce crime — and Chicago has dumped the program.
Ald. Shawn Gregory sounded a cautious note. “We used to tailor this thing to development and going into these communities,” he said. “When we first got this technology, we identified 55 blocks. I just want to continue that, so we can get a return on our investment. We’re going to continue to spend millions of dollars on these things; I want to make sure that these communities are being addressed.”
Gregory, noting police chief Joe Behl was absent from Tuesday’s meeting, said there must be a conversation.
