Does Predictive Policing Technology Reduce Gun-Related Crime?

Shotspotter is a gunshot detection technology adopted by police departments across the US to reduce gun violence. It uses acoustic sensors and AI to identify gunshots and alert police. While the company claims significant reductions in homicides, independent research questions its effectiveness. Coverage areas are often not publicly known, complicating external evaluations. The technology is mainly deployed in Black and Latinx neighborhoods, raising concerns about demographic targeting. Shotspotter is less reliable than traditional policing methods but is often given more weight in legal contexts. Critics suggest community-based interventions as a cost-effective alternative.

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