Chicago voters back return of gunshot detection tools
Mayor Brandon Johnson defended his past actions while outlining a new six-month pilot program for six police districts.
By Harper Collins ·
More than 72 percent of Chicago voters supported a nonbinding referendum on Tuesday to restart the use of gunshot detection technology.
The ballot measure asked residents whether the city should resume using systems that listen for suspected gunfire and alert first responders to the location. The vote does not legally require the city to bring back ShotSpotter, the vendor whose contract was previously terminated, or adopt any specific replacement system.
Mayor Brandon Johnson said in an interview that his position has always favored the technology. He stated, “My position has always been in favor of gunshot detection. I’ve never been opposed to technology.” Johnson explained that the administration previously created a more open and transparent process to identify the right tools for the job.
The mayor ended the contract with ShotSpotter in 2024. He cited findings from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and the city’s Office of Inspector General, which concluded that the system did not make communities safer or improve prosecutors’ ability to bring cases. Johnson noted, “In fact, both cases indicated that it did not do what it said it was designed to do.”
Opponents of the previous decision argued that the technology helped police respond to shootings, especially in neighborhoods where residents might not call 911. Johnson said he wants any new technology to protect residents' privacy and demonstrate its effectiveness before the city signs a long-term contract. He added, “This idea that I’ve been opposed to technology is just not true.”
The city is preparing to launch a six-month pilot program testing various violence interruption and public safety technologies. This pilot will take place in six South and West side police districts: Wentworth, Calumet, Englewood, Deering, Ogden, and Harrison. Officials have not yet announced which companies or specific technologies will be included in the test.
Nine companies submitted bids for a permanent replacement for ShotSpotter, but no contract award has been announced. The pilot is separate from that ongoing search. Additionally, a separate gunshot detection pilot using technology from ZeroEyes has been operating in the city for about a year. The city plans to evaluate those results before deciding whether to expand that specific program.
