I’ve said it before, but it’s really sad to see the decline of another once great American city. In this case, that city is my hometown of Chicago. To be fair, the people in the city have no one to blame but themselves for the maladies that have befallen “The Second City.” They complained incessantly about former Mayor Lori Lightfoot. So what did they do? They elected an activist even further left than the uber progressive Lightfoot in current Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Well, now they can add yet another log to the fire, because the city is reportedly not renewing a technological measure that has aided in what little crime prevention they had.
Chicago has announced it won’t renew its contract with ShotSpotter, a system “which relies on an artificial intelligence algorithm and network of microphones to identify gunshots,” according to the Associated Press (AP).
Now, some might say that not having microphones listening in on public streets is a victory for privacy. But, in some areas of “The Windy City,” gunshots are as frequent as…well, something that occurs frequently. (Forgive my well for running dry of analogies at the moment.)
But, there’s even more conflict concerning ShotSpotter and their relationship — or lack thereof — with the city.
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While Johnson’s office has announced that the system will stay in place until after the Democratic National Convention in late August, ShotSpotter — and rightfully so — isn’t sure whether they want to extend the contract past this Friday in order to cover the time period Chicago wants it to.
Of course, city officials, like 29th ward Alderman Chris Taliaferro (D), are taking shot (pun intended) at ShotSpotter for possibly not giving the city the extension, despite it being the city that’s not wanting to renew the contract in the first place.
“If these rumors are true, SoundThinking is probably opting out of the extension simply because if they feel their product is inferior and the city doesn’t need it, why stay,” Taliaferro said, according to WGN.
I’m no rocket scientist, but it’s highly doubtful that SoundThinking — the company that runs ShotSpotter — doesn’t think their product is “inferior.” And even if they did, would they really admit it?
The only thing that seems to be “inferior” — or severely lacking — is the amount of brainpower running the city of Chicago.
One user on X put the situation in Chicago into perspective really well, and I’ll leave it at that:
Imagine being a criminal in the city of Chicago right now
— Ankush sharma (@Aku_700) February 14, 2024
1. Gunshot detection going away
2. No chase police ordinance
3. No gang database
4. SAFE-T Act
5. Elimination of 900 vacant police positions
6. CPD being removed from CPS
It is a GREAT time to be a criminal in Chicago
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— MRCTV (@mrctv) February 14, 2024