Detroit Police Seek $2M Extension for Controversial ShotSpotter Contract
Detroit police want nearly $2.06 million to extend their ShotSpotter gunshot detection contract for nine months while evaluating other technology options.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN — The Detroit Police Department is requesting a nine-month extension worth nearly $2.06 million for its gunshot detection technology contract with California-based SoundThinking, Inc., as the current agreement expires at the end of June.
The city’s existing contract for ShotSpotter technology, signed in 2022 for $7 million, has faced scrutiny from advocates and city lawmakers over its cost and effectiveness. The extension would run through the end of March 2027, keeping the controversial system operational while police evaluate other options.
The proposal was first presented to Detroit City Council on May 12, less than two months before the current contract deadline. It currently sits in the council’s Public Health and Safety Standing Committee for review.
Police Chief Defends Technology’s Value
Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison told the committee on May 18 that ShotSpotter has helped reduce gun crimes since its implementation in Detroit in 2020. He emphasized the technology’s role in recovering firearms and evidence.
“It’s a large contributing factor. It’s not the only factor, because that would be disingenuous. Community violence intervention has been significant as well,” Bettison said. “But ShotSpotter, the technology has absolutely been a key to allowing us to find the evidence and also get guns that are used to shoot off the streets in the city.”
The police chief stressed the need for continuous coverage while the department considers alternatives. “We don’t want to lose the coverage area and the benefits that we have. We believe that this technology definitely is beneficial, it saves lives,” he stated.
Request for Proposals Opens Door to Competition
Police officials explained that the department opened a Request for Proposal earlier this year to explore additional gunshot detection technology options. Bettison noted that when Detroit first adopted ShotSpotter, it was the only such technology available on the market.
The competitive landscape has since expanded, with numerous companies now offering similar gunshot detection services. The extension would provide the department time to evaluate these alternatives while maintaining existing coverage areas throughout the city.
The ShotSpotter system uses acoustic sensors to detect and locate gunshots, automatically alerting police dispatch when potential gunfire is identified. The technology has been deployed in Detroit since 2020 as part of the department’s efforts to combat gun violence.
City council members and community advocates have previously raised concerns about both the privacy implications and cost-effectiveness of the technology. The current $7 million contract represents a significant investment in police technology at a time when some officials have questioned whether the funds could be better allocated to other crime prevention strategies.
The council’s Public Health and Safety Standing Committee will need to advance the proposal before it can receive a full council vote. With the current contract set to expire at month’s end, city officials face a tight timeline for making a decision on the extension.
