ShotSpotter Coming Back?

Over two years and almost one-hundred dead and wounded without police or fire responses:

• More than two years after Mayor Brandon Johnson deactivated ShotSpotter, the city’s gunshot detection network, despite opposition from his handpicked police superintendent, two-thirds of the City Council, and 70% of city residents, his chief procurement officer on Tuesday announced that the administration is “preparing to launch a pilot program to evaluate a range of violence interruption and public safety technologies, including gunshot detection systems.”

  Sharla Roberts sent her letter to Ald. Emma Mitts (37th), head of the City Council’s Committee on Contracting and Oversight Equity, shortly before the committee held a hearing to question why Johnson’s administration has yet to deploy a replacement for ShotSpotter, even though the city completed a request for proposals more than a year ago.

  Nobody from the administration appeared at the hearing to answer those questions. Aldermen expressed frustration with the lack of progress and skepticism about Tuesday’s announcement.

The aldercreatures are expressing doubt:

• “Breaking news,” Ald. Matthew O’Shea (19th) tweeted. “The Johnson Administration notified WTTW they would begin testing a new gunshot detection system. Unfortunately, they didn’t notify or consult with the [Chicago Police Department] or [Office of Public Safety Administration].”

  Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th) questioned the timing and sincerity of the announcement.

  “The fact that he announced this today when City Council was poised to demand action is just a smokescreen,” Lopez said. “[Johnson] has no intention of acquiring any technology that catches criminals.”

Conehead isn't looking to capture criminals.

Conehead needs to capture a large part of that 70% of city residents (i.e. voters) that WANT ShotSpotter back in some way, shape or form.

This is a purely mercenary decision.