CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The City of Chicago will not renew its contract for ShotSpotter technology, according to an announcement from Mayor Brandon Johnson's office.
The contract with parent company SoundThinking expires February 16 and the city will decommission the use of ShotSpotter technology on September 22.
During the interim period, law enforcement "will assess tools and programs that effectively increase both safety and trust, and issue recommendations to that effect," the mayor's office said.
Before decommissioning in September, Chicago Police will "will work to revamp operations within the Strategic Decision Support Centers, implement new training and further develop response models to gun violence that ultimately reduce shootings and increase accountability."
An audit from the city's Inspector General and other studies raised questions about ShotSpotter' accuracy and effectiveness. The gunshot detection system has also been criticized for being costly.
Alderman Raymond Lopez said canceling the contract is the wrong move.
"Representing communities where we have a lot of gang activity, a lot of gun activity and a lot of underreporting going on-we need every tool in the toolbox to help us know when a shooting happens," he pointed out.
"So that in the off chance there's a victim, police can respond accordingly."
Since the $49 million contract will expire on Friday, the city will have to enter into a new deal with SoundThinking to cover the additional months, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
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