Shotspotter, Chicago’s controversial gunshot detection technology, was in the process of being dismantled Monday, hours after its contract expired with the city.
Mayor Brandon Johnson earlier this year made the announcement that he would not renew the city’s contract with SoundThinking, the company behind the technology, which relies on an artificial intelligence algorithm and a network of some 2,500 microphone sensors to identify gunshots. The system then sends that data to police.
During a City Council meeting last week, 33 alderpersons attempted to override Johnson to give the police superintendent the ability to decide to keep the tech. Ultimately, City Council came out one vote shy of an override, and Johnson vowed to veto that attempt.
Hours before the contract — which was extended from February to September — expiration deadline of midnight struck, Johnson issued a “Request for Information” plan to gather recommendations on first responder technology.
According to the announcement, RFI submissions are “encouraged from qualified …