ALDERS, COMMUNITY, AND BUSINESS LEADERS OFFER $2.SM TO HELP COVER INTERIM COSTS OF LIFESAVING GUNSHOT DETECTION TECHNOLOGY SHOTSPOTTER UNTIL A PERMANENT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION IS IMPLEMENTED

17th Ward Alderman David Moore
17th Ward Alderman David Moore

ALDERS, COMMUNITY, AND BUSINESS LEADERS OFFER $2.SM TO HELP COVER INTERIM COSTS OF LIFESAVING GUNSHOT DETECTION TECHNOLOGY SHOTSPOTTER UNTIL A PERMANENT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION IS IMPLEMENTED

Chicago City Aldermen and key community and business leaders urged Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to re-activate the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system until the City is able to implement a permanent technology solution. The aldermen and others worked with the business community and they have offered to fund $2.5 million to help the city pay the annual $9.6 million cost of ShotSpotter during the interim period. 

"People are dying because ShotSpotter has been shut down, and first responders are not 

getting notifications about shootings," said 17th Ward Alderman David Moore at a City Hall press conference, flanked by City Council colleagues as well as business and community leaders. "This administration is failing to meet the city's responsibility to the public to keep them safe." 

Bob Baik, the Senior Vice-President for Public Safety at the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club, said that the business community will help cover the interim costs of ShotSpotter for 15 months until the city implements a permanent technology. 

"The law enforcement community believes ShotSpotter speeds response times and saves lives. We worry about a gap in service and want to do our part to help. That is why the business community is willing to fund a portion of the cost of ShotSpotter in the interim until a permanent technology can be identified and implemented," said Baik. 

Also attending the press conference were Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church, Arne Duncan, founder of community violence intervention (CVI) organization Chicago CRED, and several other community leaders. 

In a recent report, Chicago Crime Lab researchers have estimated that ShotSpotter could be saving as many as 85 lives each year due to faster response times. In a recently published op-ed, trauma surgeon Selwyn Rogers of the University of Chicago also said that faster response times could be the difference between life and death. 

Anthony Driver, President of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability who couldn't attend the press conference due to conflicts also added, "I have felt the toll of gun violence personally and I do not want to see another victim lay alone in the street while they wait for help when no one is coming. 

Pfleger pointed out that many shootings go unreported because of a lack of trust in police among community residents. For that reason, ShotSpotter is "desperately needed," he said, adding, "Rebuilding trust between police and people is crucial, but with so much gun violence happening in our city, it's unconscionable to remove a tool that saves lives." 

For Further Information: Alderman David Moore 

17th Ward Aldermanic Office 

1344 W. 79th Street Chicago, II 60620 

773-783-3672

Ward 17@cityofchicago.org

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