Chicago voters have delivered a clear message about gun violence and emergency response, with more than 72% supporting the return of gunshot detection technology nearly two years after Mayor Brandon Johnson ended the city’s ShotSpotter program.
The overwhelming support in Tuesday’s advisory referendum puts renewed pressure on City Hall to explain when, and how, it plans to introduce a replacement system.
According to unofficial election results, 447,475 voters supported restoring technology that automatically alerts first responders when gunfire is detected. The referendum is nonbinding, meaning the mayor is not required to act on the results.
Johnson ended Chicago’s ShotSpotter contract in 2024, citing concerns about its effectiveness, cost and the potential for unnecessary police encounters in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods.
Supporters of the technology have argued that automatic alerts help officers reach shooting victims faster, particularly when gunfire goes unreported to 911. Critics have questioned whether the system delivers measurable public safety benefits and whether its alerts contribute to over-policing.
The debate has been especially consequential on Chicago’s South and West Sides, where residents have experienced both persistent gun violence and longstanding concerns about police accountability.
Johnson’s administration recently announced plans to test new public safety technology in six police districts, including Englewood, Harrison and Ogden. The proposed pilot would explore several approaches, with gunshot detection among the options under consideration.
But details about the companies involved, the program’s timeline and how its effectiveness will be measured remain unclear.
The city’s proposed spending plan includes $5 million that could support gunshot detection technology, although no replacement contract has been announced.
Tuesday’s vote does not settle the debate over ShotSpotter. Voters were asked whether Chicago should resume using gunshot detection technology, leaving open the possibility of a different system.
It does, however, sharpen the question facing City Hall: After two years without ShotSpotter and continued debate over its replacement, when will residents see a clear plan?
With Chicago’s next mayoral election approaching in February, the referendum adds another dimension to a public safety debate that remains central to the city’s political future.
