Suburb adopts ShotSpotter as Chicago phases out gunshot detection technology

ELMWOOD PARK, Ill. - The controversial gunshot detection system, ShotSpotter, may be leaving Chicago’s city limits this fall, but in a matter of days, it's going online in a neighboring suburb.

While its days in the city are numbered, the technology will soon be implemented in Elmwood Park, where officers are currently being trained on the system. It’s expected to go live in about one week.

Elmwood Park's Village President Angelo Saviano said their decision to adopt ShotSpotter came in direct response to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s announcement in February, where he revealed he would be canceling the city’s contract.

The system will remain in effect in Chicago through the Democratic National Convention, but not for long after that – affecting border suburbs.

"It helps save lives. Sometimes people get shot, they're lying there, and nobody calls," said Chief Andrew Hock, Elmwood Park Police Department.

When Elmwood Park residents look up, they will start to notice ShotSpotter devices posted in various intersections.

"That’s an added tool that really, really helps us," said Saviano.

ShotSpotter technology is designed to detect gunshots and automatically report incidents to police.

"Our officers are rolling before people are calling in, we’re already on the way to that crime scene," said Hock.

In Elmwood Park, Chief Hock and President Saviano noted that the Chicago Police Department has been sharing ShotSpotter information with the village for years.

"We were afraid we were going to lose that," said Saviano. "So when they announced they were taking it out, we decided – we’ll get our own."

Saviano said while there aren't many shootings within Elmwood Park itself, border streets like Harlem and Belmont are areas of concern.

"We don't have a lot of activity in our town, but on our perimeters, we were able to monitor that through [CPD’s] technology," Saviano said. "It makes our policemen more efficient because, like I said, they could be there within seconds, and it gives our residents a good, secure feeling."

Mayor Johnson’s decision to do away with the technology has sparked controversy across the city. Critics have called the technology unreliable and say it unfairly over-polices certain communities, while supporters, including Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, praised it as a vital tool in fighting crime.

Despite Chicago City Council members voting 34 to 16 in May to extend the city's contract with ShotSpotter, Johnson remains strongly opposed, with plans to phase it out by November.

Elmwood Park's initial contract with ShotSpotter is three years long. Saviano says it will cost the village roughly $75,000 each year.

"We have to protect our citizens," said Saviano.

The Elmwood Park Police Department plans to share their ShotSpotter data with Chicago police, according to Hock.

FOX 32 Chicago reached out to Mayor Johnson’s office for comment Tuesday evening but did not immediately hear back.