Gun Shot Detection Cameras Alerting Cops to Slamming Doors Instead

The cameras the cops are using to automatically detect and report gun shots should be taken down because they pick up the sound of slamming doors instead, according to a police reform group.

According to a new report, Campaign Zero is lobbying local city governments to stop using ShotSpotter after a year-long study. ShotSpotter doesn't significantly reduce gun violence, rarely leads to physical evidence a gun was fired, increases the likelihood of police violence, and costs tax payers millions of dollars.

Good Vision

The evidence supports the allegations of Campaign Zero.

A local Massachusetts school was briefly put into a full lockdown last month after ShotSpotter was alerted by fireworks rather than gun shots. ShotSpotter only results in physical evidence of a gun crime about 9 percent of the time, according to a report by the Inspector General. A study in Chicago found that 86 percent of ShotSpotter warnings led to no crime being reported.

The company says it isn't causing harm.

There is no evidence to support the claim that ShotSpotter creates dangerous situations and puts police on higher alert.

Big Picture

A Durham, NC council member summed it up in an interview yesterday.

ShotSpotter increases the number of times police are called.

Multi-million dollar contracts for half-baked tech probably aren't the solution to gun violence.

MIT trained a robot to be a Mad Scientist.

Are you interested in supporting clean energy adoption? At UnderstandSolar.com, you can find out how much money you could save if you switched to solar power. Futurism.com may receive a small commission if you sign up through this link.