CHICAGO — With less than two weeks before ShotSpotter could go dark, City Council members are urging Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to keep the gunfire detection software.
The last-ditch effort comes as ShotSpotter is set to turn off on Sunday, Sept. 22.
Ald. Peter Chico (10th Ward) said Monday that the city should not remove ShotSpotter.
“No reason whatsoever,” Chico added.
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Last February, Johnson, making good on a campaign promise, canceled the city’s contract with SoundThinking, the company behind the tech. Still, the mayor extended its use through last month’s Democratic National Convention.
Johnson’s decision to dump ShotSpotter angered some alders, and in a 34-14 vote, the City Council rebuked the mayor, endorsing an effort to overturn him. Holding firm, Johnson stated that the Council had no authority to overrule him.
At a Sept. 9 Public Safety Committee meeting, ShotSpotter supporters sounded off.
“We want …