CHICAGO CITY HALL (WBBM Newsradio) -- It's been almost two years since Chicago unplugged the gunshot-detection technology known as "ShotSpotter," and aldermen are asking the Johnson Administration why it's taking so long to find a replacement.
The mayor ended the city's contract with ShotSpotter after the 2024 Democratic National Convention, citing studies suggesting that the network of sensors around the city had little impact on police response times.
But Far South side Alderman and former police officer Peter Chico told colleagues on the Public Safety Committee during Tuesday's hearing that neighbors in his ward believe it keeps them safer.
"One of the main questions I get asked is about gunshot detection technology," Ald. Chico (10th Ward) said about conversations with his constituents. "Where are we in the process? Why is it taking so long?"
The city's head of procurement Sharla Roberts said nine companies, including ShotSpotter's owner submitted bids, but the process of selecting a vendor can take time, especially with what she described as such a complex product.
"We're working diligently on both procurements to ensure that we are conducting due diligence," Roberts told aldermen, saying the process could last two years or more.
South side Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd Ward) tried to narrow it down: "Are we talking another six months? Three months? A year and a half?"
"It is our desire to work diligently to get a fully executed contract," Roberts responded, causing Dowell to quip "if I had a dollar for (the use of) the word 'diligently' ... I could buy lunch."
Attempts by other aldermen to get more specific answers ended similarly, including Ald. Samantha Nugent, who asked repeatedly about who was involved in vetting the proposals and how the specific request was written.
"We cannot discuss that," responded a city administrator, causing Ald. Nugent (39th Ward) to respond in exasperation: "Of course. Of course we can't discuss it."
At the end of the hearing, committee chair and Downtown Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) summed up the exercise: "I don't feel I necessarily know any more than I did at the outset of this meeting."
But he recessed the hearing instead of adjourning it, suggesting that he and others will continue to ask questions.
City leaders vague on timetable, next steps during hearing
City leaders vague on timetable, next steps during hearing
