ShotSpotter is an audio surveillance system used by the Chicago Police Department that is meant to detect the sound and location of gunshots. It is a network of audio sensors that blankets 117 square miles of the city with approximately 15 to 20 microphones per square mile. Unsurprisingly, ShotSpotter disproportionately targets Chicago's Black, brown, and immigrant neighborhoods.  

There is little evidence to show that ShotSpotter actually helps reduce gun violence. In fact, 86% of ShotSpotter deployments don't result in any police incident report. Which means the majority of the time, cops are sent into neighborhoods on high-alert ready to treat everyone in the area as an armed threat-- putting Black and brown residents at risk of a dangerous encounter with police.

Chicago has paid approximately $10 million per year for ShotSpotter over the past three years and untold millions more sending officers chasing down unfounded ShotSpotter alerts. The contract was renewed without city council discussion last year, and we are demanding that this budget cycle does not include the funds, ultimately canceling the contract and the money be redirected to the Peace Book and Community Restoration Ordinance.

Learn more about ShotSpotter and sign a petition demanding an end to the contract: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/cancel-shotspotter-and-support-community-led-solutions-to-address-gun-violence-in-chicago?source=direct_link&