Cambridge Ends Contract with ShotSpotter Technology

A city in Massachusetts, Cambridge, recently voted to end its contract with ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system utilized by police to identify possible shootings in real time. The technology consists of a network of acoustic sensors placed above streets in neighborhoods, aimed at detecting sounds resembling gunfire and automatically alerting law enforcement of potential shots.

The decision by the Cambridge City Council came after criticism from opponents who argued that the system is unreliable and may contribute to over-policing. Concerns were also raised about its potential connection to federal immigration enforcement. Before Cambridge’s decision, Chicago had announced in February 2024 it would not renew its contract for the technology, indicating growing resistance among cities regarding its use.

According to Boston.com, five members of the Cambridge City Council voted to terminate the contract, while two opposed and two voted present at the council meeting. The decision requires the city manager and police department to discontinue the use of ShotSpotter within 90 days, leading to the removal of the devices from Cambridge locations.

The system, operated by SoundThinking, is said to save lives, speed up police response, and assist investigators in gathering more evidence, with alerts reaching law enforcement within 60 seconds. During the council meeting, City Manager Yi-An Huang and Acting Police Commissioner Pauline Wells supported maintaining ShotSpotter, with police noting 11 occasions where gunfire was detected, yet no 911 calls were received.

Critics argue the technology lacks sufficient independent scientific validation, citing instances of false positives and triggering from other loud noises like car backfires. They also expressed concern over a law enforcement database managed by SoundThinking, reportedly linked to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is unpopular in Cambridge.

Councilor Ayah Al-Zubi, a co-sponsor of the resolution to decommission ShotSpotter, highlighted privacy and safety risks, especially concerning federal government relations with the company. Al-Zubi stated, “There was once interest in this technology over a decade ago, but now we know more about its effectiveness and its consequences.”

In response to these claims, SoundThinking released a statement to the Boston Globe defending the system’s effectiveness. “SoundThinking is proud to have successfully served the Cambridge Police Department and the citizens of Cambridge with gunshot detection services since 2014,” the company stated, emphasizing that ShotSpotter is proven, unbiased technology that facilitates quicker police response, evidence gathering, and potentially lifesaving medical aid while preserving privacy.