Chicago Police Commissioner. Larry Snelling confirmed Sunday evening that the city will no longer use the ShotSpotter gunfire detection system after midnight tonight, September 22. Mayor Brandon Johnson ignored residents, a vast majority of the City Council, and the editors of both newspapers, who advised him to keep the technology in place.
On Sunday, Ald. Silvana Tabares (23rd) mentioned Johnson’s decision “The most radical, reckless and dangerous policy in the history of our city.”
“Starting tonight, every gunshot victim left bleeding in the streets of our city will be, in the mayor’s eyes, a worthy sacrifice for his radical agenda,” Tabares continued. “Everyone.”
Meanwhile, the city’s top cop emailed every officer at 5 p.m. Sunday asking them to remind residents to “call 911 if they hear loud noises similar to gunshots.”
Now that the decision has been made, CWBChicago is launching a new, ongoing feature. We call it “Brandon’s Bodies.” Similar to our years of reporting on people shooting or killing others while in police custody, “Brandon’s Bodies” will track gunshot murder victims who are found lying outside without a timely 911 call.
Unlike our pretrial release series, “Brandon’s Bodies” will not be an exhaustive list. We don’t have the capabilities to monitor every murder in the city. But we’ll do our best and we welcome tips as you learn more about qualifying situations.
Here is Snelling’s full email:
Dear members,
Effective Monday, September 23, 2024 at 12:01 a.m., Chicago Police will no longer use ShotSpotter technology. This does not change our commitment to making our city neighborhoods safer. Our communities affected by gun violence continue to trust us to do all we can to protect them, and we will continue to do so. As with every other time we have faced changes in our operations, we will adapt and continue our public safety efforts. This city is our home and we will keep it safe no matter the circumstances.
As you communicate with residents in the future, it is important that you encourage them to call 911 if they hear loud noises that sound like gunshots. This, in addition to your continued situational awareness, will assist us in responding to calls for service.
Thank you for the work you do on behalf of the people of Chicago. You are appreciated more than you know.
Larry Snelling
Chief Inspector of Police
You can contact CWBChicago and submit anonymous tips by email: news@cwbchicago.com
