DETROIT (WWJ) - The Detroit Police Department has released a statement responding to allegations that SoundThinking’s ShotSpotter could be used to target individuals based on race as well as invading people’s privacy.
Reports have come out that “over the past 24 hours some people have used a security breach in SoundThinking’s ShotSpotter technology as a platform against its use,” WWJ’s Mike Campbell said.
“The Detroit Police Department shares SoundThinking’s concern over the release of ShotSpotter sensors around the country,” The DPD said in a statement released on Feb. 29. “At this time, the Department is not aware of any release of Detroit-specific locations. We will continue to work with SoundThinking toward ensuring that the integrity of the ShotSpotter sensors and the information derived from them remains intact.”
The statement went on to say there should be “no expectation of privacy in the percussion sounds of a firearm, which is what the ShotSpotter sensors are specially designed to capture.”
DPD said the city has had an “unprecedented” investment in community projects such as park improvements and affordable housing, as well as assistance for Detroiters to get home repairs.
The technology will continue to be used by the city in a “constitutional manner.”