The Springfield City Council approved the renewal of the City’s $1.1 million agreement with ShotSpotter vendor SoundThinking for the gunshot detection system.
Most of the Shotspotter units are located in the east side of Springfield. An amendment proposed by Ward 2 Alderman Shawn Gregory, whose ward contains many of the listening devices, would have implemented several additional conditions for the Springfield Police Department’s use of the system, including additional reports that Gregory said the company recommends.
Springfield Police Chief Joe Behl told the council that many of the points raised in the amendment were either not practical or not necessary due to existing department policy.
The council rejected Gregory’s amendment 5-4 and approved the renewed contract 7-2 with Gregory and Ward 3 Alderman Roy Williams Jr. voting no.
