TechHalo Summary:
With its contract for ShotSpotter ending this year, the City of Chicago is reviewing new proposals for real-time gunshot detection—and the ideas on the table mark a major shift in direction.
Fifteen companies are pitching next-gen solutions that go beyond audio alone. Think: autonomous drones responding to 911 calls, live video feeds analyzed by AI, and multi-sensor networks designed for rapid situational awareness. The promise? Faster response, more context, and smarter public safety deployment.
It’s worth noting: ShotSpotter itself uses AI and has been a leader in this space for years. But the landscape is evolving fast—and Chicago seems open to exploring newer combinations of AI, drones, and data fusion to meet complex urban needs.
As you’d expect, there’s strong support—and strong skepticism. Privacy concerns are rising again. So are questions about accuracy, cost, and whether these systems truly prevent violence or just respond to it more efficiently.
