SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A proposal to extend Springfield’s contract for ShotSpotter for three years and $1.1 million is on Tuesday’s city council agenda. The technology is meant to alert police to gunfire and its location.
Police Chief Joe Behl said the proposed extension does not change the terms of the contract, though the territory covered did expand earlier. “Originally, it was 4.25 (square miles), and then we added one square mile to that to bring us to 5.25.”
Ald. Shawn Gregory says he is in favor of ShotSpotter but wants a clearer view of the big picture. “What I’m looking for is us having some data before our budget season, saying, hey, gunshots are happening in this area,” he said. “Sure, they have fly dumping and bad houses and stuff, and how do we address that to make our communities better?”
ShotSpotter is not the only matter which could have Behl answering questions Tuesday. Two members of the council criticized spending priorities that include Tuesday’s proposal to purchase ten new Ford Explorers for the department. Ald. Jennifer Notariano last week said an officer wellness program she wants, but which is not budgeted, would cost the same as not even two Explorers, and Ald. Roy Williams suggested that the police and fire departments’ shares of the city budget are disproportionate to the city’s overall needs.
