Durham city council member expresses concern over decision to end ShotSpotter contract
Durham Mayor Pro Tempore Mark-Anthony Middleton is expressing his concern with city leaders’ decision not to renew the city’s contract with Shotspotter, a controversial gunfire detection technology.
ShotSpotter’s service with the Durham Police Department went dark as of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Middleton wrote in a Facebook post.
“Durham PD will no longer receive direct alerts of gunfire in the pilot coverage area,” Middleton wrote. “Residents of the area that may have noticed an increased response time to gunfire by police should be advised that response will once again be based solely on 911 calls.”
Middleton and Mayor Leo Williams were the two Durham city council members who voted Monday in favor of extending Durham’s contract with ShotSpotter. The four other city council members voted not to renew the contract.
While the Durham City Council voted against extending ShotSpotter’s contract, it doesn't mean the technology is done in the city forever. A study by the Wilson Center on its effectiveness is underway.
Middleton is asking Durham residents to call 911 every time they hear gunfire.
“I’m calling on all residents in our city … to become what I call a shot-caller,” Middleton said in a Zoom with WRAL News. “Call 911 no matter what. It may save someone’s life.”
Middleton said callers shouldn't worry about knowing where exactly gunfire came from or if it was actually gunfire.
"We can't respond to what we don't know," Middleton wrote. "A neighbor may be injured and the difference between life and death may be your call."
Earlier this week, the Durham Fraternal Order of Police joined Middleton in his support of ShotSpotter.
President Robert Gaddy wrote, "We share his sentiment in questioning how such a timely and technologically advanced approach to addressing gun-related incidents could be perceived as a threat to our democracy."
In one year of Durham’s ShotSpotter pilot program, police recovered 21 guns, made 23 arrests and responded to 48 gunshot wounds.
The ShotSpotter technology covered a three-square-mile area in east and southeast Durham.
ShotSpotter’s supporters believe it improves response times, enabling police to collect better evidence. Its critics worry about privacy and unnecessary police interactions.
