A new AI program from Chicago company Truleo is being used by several U.S. police departments to scan bodycam footage for both good and bad officer encounters, Axios' Jennifer A. Kingson reports.

Why it matters: The platform, which analyzes audio recordings from officers' body cameras, is designed to identify behavior problems as well as potentially troubling patterns within a department.

• Some departments that use the technology, like Aurora, Colorado, say they're able to intervene and prevent bad conduct earlier on. In California, Alameda police reported a drop in use of force after adopting Truleo.
• This comes as policymakers are searching for fresh police accountability tools in light of Tyre Nichols' death in Memphis.

The intrigue: Despite the technology's local roots, Chicago isn't one of its adopters, and police officials won't say why.

• Truleo CEO Anthony Tassone told Axios he'd engaged in "super promising" talks with CPD reform chief Robert Boik about Chicago using the technology, but that ended when the reformer was suddenly fired last summer.
• "We don't have a champion there now," Tassone said.
• CPD officials didn't respond to multiple calls and emails from Axios asking whether they have plans to use Truleo or any program that routinely analyzes bodycam data.

Between the lines: Most bodycam footage lies untouched unless there's a civilian complaint or obvious problem. "The hardware itself doesn't improve policing," Tassone said. "You've got to analyze the data."

Zoom in: CPD has a body camera auditing policy in place, but reports have revealed flaws in how it's carried out, CBS reported in an investigation last year.

What they're saying: According to Truleo, less than .01% of bodycam footage is typically examined.

• Tassone suggested that the platform would be beneficial in Chicago because a large share of officers "have three years or less on the job."
• "So they're young guys who don't have a lot of supervision."

Go deeper on how the technology works and who's using it

In our new series showing a fresh side of this year's mayoral hopefuls, we present our Q&A with community activist Ja'Mal Green.

The candidate: Green has been vocal in pushing for police accountability since the murder of Laquan McDonald in 2014 and has been a fierce critic of Mayor Lightfoot. The lifelong Chicagoan ran for mayor in 2019.

🏡 What neighborhoods have you lived in? "Englewood, Gresham, and Beverly."

🏢 Favorite downtown building? "It's a tie between Sears Tower and City Hall, actively meeting with elected officials to make the city a better place."

🎶 Favorite Chicago music venue? "Lincoln Hall."

🪑 Dibs: Pro/con? "I believe that the Dibs system is a piece of Chicago. I have fond memories of my mother moving the chairs out front to keep our spot. But at the end of the day I think individual neighborhoods should determine their own destiny — including whether they allow residents to participate in the Dibs system."

📺 Favorite Chicago TV show? "'Chicago Fire.'"

🌮 Favorite taco place in the city? "Taqueria Los Comales."

Read the full Q&A

🪧 Last night's mayoral forum was disrupted by protesters. (Tribune)

🗺 A new map shows about 25,000 Chicago properties where owners once agreed never to sell to Black people. (Crain's)

🎸 A new music festival featuring headliners LCD Soundsystem and Steve Lacy is coming to Riis Park in Belmont Cragin this June. (Consequence of Sound)

🏀 Courtney Vandersloot says she will not re-sign with the Sky. The point guard is leaving after 12 years seasons with the team. (Sun-Times)

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Today we debut a monthly feature that will look back on businesses that have recently closed up shop.

• From local restaurants to Michigan Avenue retailers, here are five places we lost last month:

Bed Bath & Beyond: Yesterday, the company announced it's closing more stores around the country. In our area, that includes the stores in Wilmette and Crystal Lake, and the Buy Buy Baby store on Kingsbury Street.

Old Navy: The flagship Old Navy closed its doors at Randolph and State in the Loop. This famous retail space once housed the massive Borders Bookstore.

Banana Republic: The 39,000-square-foot space on Michigan Avenue closed, joining sister company The Gap in leaving the Mag Mile.

Gillman Ace Hardware: The Logan Square hardware store is closing after almost 80 years in business. They announced last month, but will close after the liquidation sale.

Rock Bottom Brewery: It was one of the first breweries to set up downtown over 20 years ago.

📫 Any we missed? Email us with more January closings, and we'll add them to the list.

Oh, wait … there's one more! ⬇️

Dozens of you guessed that Monica was at the Wicker Park Walgreens, housed in the old Noel State Bank at Damen, North and Milwaukee for a decade — until today.

The backstory: The Deerfield-based chain announced the closing of the iconic store in December to local dismay.

Most missed feature: The store's basement Vitamin Vault where supplements could feel very safe.

The good news: As an official landmark of the Milwaukee Avenue District, the building's features must be preserved by any future owners.

Congrats to correct guessers Scott S. and Kyle W., whose names we dug out of an old jar of cranberry extract capsules.