So, Chicago’s broke, but they spend $200,000 for “Shot Spotter” technology which uses microphones and computers to send police to the site of every car or truck that backfires, along with gunshots and big firecrackers.

Of course, Chicago’s Police Chief is gushing over this new technology like it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread and the washing machine.

A much more cost-effective means to identify the location of gunfire is to let the calls to 9-1-1 tell you exactly where the shots came from and maybe even give you a description of the person firing those shots.

Once again, Chicago embraces expensive fail over common sense.

 

Police microphones pinpoint gunshots

(WGNTV) – Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said today the city is using acoustic sensors to detect and locate gunshots as a way to fight violence in two crime-ridden areas.

The sensors, installed Sept. 1, are positioned in two 1.5-square-mile areas bordering the Englewood, Chicago Lawn, Harrison and Grand Crossing police districts. The technology already has helped police arrest two felons and recover two weapons, McCarthy said.

“This is a program that I actually used in Newark, New Jersey, and we found it to be very, very successful,” McCarthy said at a press conference.

The one-year contract with ShotSpotter for the sensors costs about $200,000. McCarthy said the program will likely expand, though he did not provide specifics.