Little Rock board approves contract renewal of ShotSpotter detection system
During a meeting held on Tuesday evening, the Little Rock City Board voted to renew the ShotSpotter contract.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — In a board meeting held on Tuesday evening, the Little Rock City Board voted to renew the ShotSpotter contract.
Despite ShotSpotter having been implemented to serve as a tool to help the public, some voiced concerns against it.
“Surveillance is not safety. Surveillance is not safety,” said a protester during Tuesday night’s meeting.
Back in February, the city struck down a renewal with ShotSpotter. However, about a month later, that vote was expunged. That contract is now back on the agenda, but before a vote, critics of the contract and those for it got their chance at the microphone.
“I don’t believe we should make the choice between prevention and getting justice for families,” said one resident who was in favor of the city board passing the ordinance to pass the contract.
Some people voiced concerns saying that the tech does not help to prevent crimes.
“Let’s be clear, even ShotSpotter’s own contract admits it does not prevent shootings,” described a resident who was against the renewal of ShotSpotter.
The Little Rock Police Department has been using Shot Spotter since 2018, but on Tuesday night, community members called for more patrols instead of Shot Spotter. They described it as being an inaccurate gunshot detection system.
Some community members also mentioned that they did not want the system because they believe the technology does not and has not prevented the gun violence that the city has seen.
“But a computer and a camera ain’t going to do nothing. They’re not going to get it. An inanimate object can’t do anything, only we can,” said a resident.