CHICAGO — A Chicago alderman on Monday will announce the possible deployment of a new gunshot detection system in parts of his ward to help fill the void created when Mayor Brandon Johnson ended the city’s relationship with ShotSpotter on September 23.
Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) said in a statement that he will unveil “a proof of concept gunshot detection and response system” based on a new product offered by Alarm.com. If it comes to fruition, the trial program is expected to include indoor and outdoor gunshot detection sensors.
The alderman said the company, which is publicly traded on the NASDAQ, “is not charging payment for this pilot and is not affiliated with any proposal before the city’s Department of Procurement Services.”
“I am excited to showcase this multi-pronged approach that coordinates acoustic and infrared technology, camera coordination, and automated drone deployment alongside our Chicago Police Department’s commitment to constitutional policing on the Southwest Side,” Lopez said in the announcement.
However, Lopez’s press release said Johnson’s administration needs to provide “final approval of coordination” between the company and city departments like CPD. The list of expected attendees for Monday’s announcement does not include anyone from Johnson’s administration.
According to Lopez’s announcement, Alarm.com’s system uses acoustic sensors and infrared technology to detect the sound of gunfire and the muzzle flash created by a shot. This two-pronged approach “reduces the likelihood of false alerts,” the statement said.
Coincidentally, the company announced plans to introduce its outdoor gunfire detection system on September 19, four days before the city’s ShotSpotter service ended. As recently as last autumn, Alarm.com referred to its outdoor gunfire product as being in “beta” mode, with each sensor capable of monitoring 15,700 square feet.
Lopez and company officials will unveil their plan at Davis Square Park, 4430 South Marshfield. Based on Alarm.com’s documentation, it would need to deploy 25 sensors to cover the park alone. Taken to scale, it would require upwards of 1,800 sensors to monitor a square mile.
Three people were shot, one fatally, inside Davis Square Park in October 2012. An on-duty Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives agent was shot and critically wounded on a street adjacent to the park in May 2018.
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