Gunny
09-23-2024, 06:10 PM
WSJ article.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson lives in a progressive fantasy land, and the latest evidence is his decision to scrap a contract for a gunfire-spotting technology that has saved hundreds of lives.
“Every gunshot victim left bleeding in the streets of our city will be a worthy sacrifice in the eyes of the mayor for his radical agenda,” tweeted Chicago Alderman Silvana Tabares on Sunday, hours before the city’s ShotSpotter contract lapsed. Mr. Johnson has refused to renew the contract and threatens to veto City Council legislation to extend it.
ShotSpotter uses acoustic technology to detect gunfire and dispatches law enforcement to scenes of violence before 911 calls come in. Chicago has deployed the technology since 2012, mainly in its south and west sides. The University of Chicago Crime Lab found it likely saves about 85 lives a year.
The system has detected more than 200,000 gun shots in the 13 months ending in August. Even Mr. Johnson must think the technology works since in February he extended the contract through the summer, which is when gun violence typically peaks and the city hosted the Democratic National Convention.
But last week he said he’d let the ShotSpotter contract expire, calling it a waste of money. He may be taking his cues from Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who charged in May that ShotSpotter perpetuates “over-policing and unjustified surveillance” in minority neighborhoods.
The City Council disagreed and voted 33-14 to give Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling the power to override the mayor’s office. “If one life is saved with gunshot detection technology, then it is absolutely worth having,” Alderman Ray Lopez said.
Alderman Brian Hopkins, chair of the council’s public safety committee, is threatening to go to court to keep ShotSpotter. It’s tempting to say the people of Chicago are getting the progressive rule they voted for, but no one deserves this mayor of criminal mayhem.
Opinion | Chicago’s Mayor of Mayhem (msn.com) (https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/opinion-chicago-s-mayor-of-mayhem/ar-AA1r4swR?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=2c35c51a21a14900a8e7515ab3df7ee3&ei=34)
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson lives in a progressive fantasy land, and the latest evidence is his decision to scrap a contract for a gunfire-spotting technology that has saved hundreds of lives.
“Every gunshot victim left bleeding in the streets of our city will be a worthy sacrifice in the eyes of the mayor for his radical agenda,” tweeted Chicago Alderman Silvana Tabares on Sunday, hours before the city’s ShotSpotter contract lapsed. Mr. Johnson has refused to renew the contract and threatens to veto City Council legislation to extend it.
ShotSpotter uses acoustic technology to detect gunfire and dispatches law enforcement to scenes of violence before 911 calls come in. Chicago has deployed the technology since 2012, mainly in its south and west sides. The University of Chicago Crime Lab found it likely saves about 85 lives a year.
The system has detected more than 200,000 gun shots in the 13 months ending in August. Even Mr. Johnson must think the technology works since in February he extended the contract through the summer, which is when gun violence typically peaks and the city hosted the Democratic National Convention.
But last week he said he’d let the ShotSpotter contract expire, calling it a waste of money. He may be taking his cues from Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who charged in May that ShotSpotter perpetuates “over-policing and unjustified surveillance” in minority neighborhoods.
The City Council disagreed and voted 33-14 to give Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling the power to override the mayor’s office. “If one life is saved with gunshot detection technology, then it is absolutely worth having,” Alderman Ray Lopez said.
Alderman Brian Hopkins, chair of the council’s public safety committee, is threatening to go to court to keep ShotSpotter. It’s tempting to say the people of Chicago are getting the progressive rule they voted for, but no one deserves this mayor of criminal mayhem.
Opinion | Chicago’s Mayor of Mayhem (msn.com) (https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/opinion-chicago-s-mayor-of-mayhem/ar-AA1r4swR?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=2c35c51a21a14900a8e7515ab3df7ee3&ei=34)