Denver will rely on 911 for gunfire reports as ShotSpotter ends
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Denver is preparing to go without gunshot detection technology after its contract with ShotSpotter expires in December.
Why it matters: The shift could change how police respond to shooting calls, placing a heavier responsibility on people to report gunfire while reigniting a longstanding debate over the controversial tool.
Driving the news: Public safety officials told City Council members Wednesday that no ShotSpotter replacement is lined up — and the city hasn't been approached by other gunshot detection technology vendors.
- The city isn't planning on purchasing new gunshot detection technology or equipment next year, public safety spokesperson Brent Weisberg said in a statement.
The big picture: Gardner said the city plans to spend next year analyzing data, gathering public feedback and determining whether — and how — gunshot detection should return to Denver.
- Councilmember Amanda Sandoval said Wednesday that Denver may need to consider a local surveillance law that confronts concerns about gunshot detection technology and automatic license plate readers.
The latest: Before ShotSpotter goes dark, the city wants to shrink its existing coverage area by just over 2 square miles as police wind down the decade-old system.
Between the lines: The looming expiration resurfaced a longstanding divide over where the technology operates and whom it affects.
- ShotSpotter's concentration in neighborhoods with larger Black and Latino populations has long fueled scrutiny.
- Councilmember Jamie Torres said many residents in her Westside district aren't ShotSpotter fans.
The other side: Councilmember Kevin Flynn said constituents in his southwest Denver district want the technology.
What's next: Without ShotSpotter, DPD is encouraging the public to report any gunfire with as much detail as possible.
- "I think we have to get people out of the habit of thinking that someone else is going to do it," Thomas said Wednesday. Roughly 88% of ShotSpotter alerts since 2020 had no correlating 911 call, per DPD.