Mayor Brandon Johnson finds himself reassessing his choice to close down the contentious ShotSpotter system. This choice led to a frantic search for police technologies that has been regarded as hasty and lacking in organization by several business leaders. The parent company of ShotSpotter, SoundThinking, is one among the eight companies that presented proposals for citywide ‘gunfire detection technology’. These proposals were submitted as a part of a bidding process that recently concluded.
ShotSpotter is a system that uses acoustic sensors to detect gunfire sounds. However, Johnson criticized it severely, dismissing it as no better than a ‘radio on a stick’ and a wastage of public funds. An insider who is familiar with the ongoing procurement operation remarked that Johnson’s management did not seem to consider the potential repercussions of eliminating ShotSpotter back in September. This absence of consideration led to a last-minute scramble to initiate bidding.
A February gathering of prospective bidders saw criticism aimed at the city authorities for their lack of information sharing. Some attendees even traveled from out-of-state only to be part of a brief, 15-minute reading of the document inviting bids. An attendee quoted the scenario as unusual and deviating from the norm.
Kathleen Griggs, the founder and CEO of Databuoy, was among those who traveled a long way, from Vienna, Virginia, to be precise. Databuoy offers the Shotpoint system, which is lauded as ‘the fastest, most accurate and fully automated gunshot detection and localization platform’. As per Griggs, local officials performed their duties perfunctorily, sharing only already known pieces of information and instructing attendees to submit any queries they had online.
The founder of Databuoy expressed disappointment at the seeming lack of initiative to analyze the various detection technologies offered by different companies. She felt there was no effort to understand the subtle differences and features that each system brought. With no evident encouragement to consider their product, Griggs’ firm decided not to submit a bid.
Prior to this event, fifteen companies had brought a variety of technologies to the forefront through an ‘information request’. Despite 24 companies sending representatives to a concise meeting at the Public Safety Headquarters, only eight proceeded to submit bids. It is important to note that some of them have collaborated with other firms.
To win the new contract, firms proposed different varieties of gunshot detection technology. Some tried to differentiate themselves from ShotSpotter. Malcolm Weems, who is the founder of TeQuity Partners, said his proposal was designed specifically to counter the official objections related to ShotSpotter.
Weems’ firm aims to introduce the city to the Dragonfly system developed by EAGL in Albuquerque. This system distinguishes gunfire using ‘energy signatures’ in lieu of sounds. Weems expressed hope that their proposed solution would not only prove more accurate than ShotSpotter but would also be a more economical alternative.
President and co-founder of Tupelo, Mississippi-based, Crime Gun Intelligence Technologies, Tim Kelly, submitted a proposal for their FireFLY LE technology. Originally developed for military use, the gunshot detection system uses a series of microphones to identify the exact location of a gunshot. Kelly explained how their system could even differentiate in scenarios where multiple sounds impact the sensors.
Kellys’s main concern pertained to law enforcement’s requirement for accurate location tracking. He highlighted the potential pitfalls of directing a patrolling officer to an incorrect spot as a result of a false alarm. Such a mistake could lead to unlawful searches or detentions.
Different technologies proposed by firms involve the use of mobile devices for detecting gunfire, thereby alerting communities and law enforcement about nearby incidents. The founder of Jelware pointed out how everyday electronic devices serve as detectors in their solution. The complete digitalization and contactless operations reflect the modern times we live in.
Blue Hammer Technology, a Tampa-based firm, submitted an AI platform that matches evidence obtained from different crime scenes. This enables the police to analyze images from a countless number of cameras and identify any recurring patterns that might reveal criminals or weapons.
Furthermore, the AI system developed by Blue Hammer Technology, can also examine text- or audio-based data to find similar matches. Another notable tool this company offers can locate a unique phone by ‘sniffing the airwaves’ for an exclusive SIM card number.
Diego Lopez, a senior solutions partner at the Norwegian gunshot detection company, Triangula, revealed a joint bid with Blue Hammer, Microsoft, Samsung, among others. It is yet to be seen what kind of proposals the remaining bidders have offered.
Silver Star Protection Group based in Rolling Meadows, West Loop-based Motorola Solutions, and Austin-based Lyons View Manufacturer and Supply were among the companies that chose not to comment. Silver Star Protection Group is a security company, while Motorola Solutions holds major contracts for the city’s camera infrastructure and radio equipment.
Lyons View President, Joshua Davis, takes part in various contracting and subcontracting work. His endeavors encompass inclusive city projects like street light installations, expansion of airports and education construction. The true value and implications of the newly proposed technologies can only be realized once they are implemented on a larger scale.
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