Gunshot Detection Too Expensive for Chicago
The city of Chicago has tested gunshot detection technology for the last few years, previous posts on this can be found here and here. The CPD tested systems from ShotSpotter, PSI (their SECURES technology was acquired by ShotSpotter in April 2009), and Safety Dynamics. According to an article in the Sun-Times in Oct 2009, the city conducted three separate tests of gunshot sensors between 2003 and 2007 in the West Side’s Harrison Police District. Only on one occasion did the detection system send a warning prior to a person calling 911 to report the shooting. As a result, the city felt the gunshot detection systems were too expensive at a cost of $200,000 a square mile.
This mixed success concurs with a similar study on the effectiveness of SECURES gunshot detection system (not ShotSpotter) released in 2008 (based on data from 2005-6).
Despite the lackluster results, the city is going forward with installing the technology in the Loop. It will cover all two square miles. The technology will allow for real time updates on shooters, while distributing this information remotely. The cost is expected to be around $400,000.
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