The city of Cambridge, Massachusetts, has decided to terminate its contract with ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system aimed at identifying shootings in real-time. This technology uses a series of street-mounted acoustic sensors that detect and alert authorities to suspected gunfire.

The Cambridge City Council recently voted to cease using the system, citing criticism about its reliability and concerns over increased policing and data sharing with federal immigration authorities. This decision follows Chicago’s similar move earlier this year, showing a trend of cities reconsidering the technology’s use.

The decision requires the city manager and police department to stop using ShotSpotter within 90 days, as reported by Boston.com. The system’s devices will be dismantled from their locations across Cambridge.

SoundThinking operates the system, claiming its technology saves lives, quickens police responses, and aids in evidence recovery, with notifications sent to law enforcement within a minute. Cambridge officials such as City Manager Yi-An Huang and Acting Police Commissioner Pauline Wells support keeping ShotSpotter, citing instances where gunfire was detected without 911 calls.

However, critics argue the system’s independent validation is insufficient, noting reported false positives and potential activations from non-gunfire sounds. Concerns over its ties to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) also cast doubt on its acceptance in Cambridge.

Councilor Ayah Al-Zubi, who sponsored the resolution to end ShotSpotter, emphasized the risks of data sharing and the growing understanding of the technology’s limitations, stating, “There was once a time when there was an interest in this technology, but now we know more about its effectiveness and its consequences.”

SoundThinking defended its service to Cambridge since 2014, asserting that ShotSpotter allows for faster police responses and better evidence gathering while respecting residents’ privacy. The company expressed commitment to partnering with communities that value protection against gun violence.