Q&A Part 2: Deputy Mayor on What Comes Next After ShotSpotter

As the city explores alternatives, Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood shares the Johnson Administration’s vision for investing in people and improving first responder technology (Photo Credit: Chicago Mayor’s Office). With Chicago pulling the plug on ShotSpotter, what will replace it? The city recently opened bids from vendors offering alternative first responder technology to replace the acoustic gun detection technology. Chicago isn’t the first city to scrap ShotSpotter and resort to alternatives. For what life could look like post-ShotSpotter, one could look at cities like Seattle and Portland for clues. The former expanded its automatic license plate reader program and invested in software that integrated dispatch, 911 call, surveillance camera and license plate reader data into one map. The latter focused on providing more support programs for victims and those at risk.& A working group under Mayor Johnson’s administration is considering putting money into programs at schools and hospitals that focus on preventing crime and helping victims. Officials also aim to improve how fast first responders can act and how well they can monitor situations. They also want to hire more personnel to work directly with communities to solve crimes, provide more funding to street outreach programs and bring...