Houston Mayor John Whitmire is considering ending the city’s expensive ShotSpotter program, which uses technology to detect gunfire and dispatch police. Despite some residents supporting the program, Whitmire believes it is not worth the cost, calling it a “gimmick” and a “feel good program.”
At a recent budget meeting, acting Houston Police Chief Larry Satterwhite mentioned seeing benefits from the program, such as identifying individuals who were shot and injured. However, he also mentioned that the program is costly and covers a small area, suggesting that there are other, more affordable technologies available.
One Sunnyside resident shared a positive experience with ShotSpotter, mentioning that it saved a life in a previous incident. Despite this, Whitmire’s spokesperson stated that the money saved from terminating the program could be used to recruit more police officers, a priority for the city.
Whitmire is exploring options to end the ShotSpotter contract early, which is up for renewal in December. While the program has had some successes, its high cost and limited coverage area have led city officials to question its worthiness and consider alternative options.
