Critics condemn ShotSpotter based on new data as Oakland votes on contract

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- For the past 20 years, Oakland has used ShotSpotter as one of its tools to fight crime. But critics argue that new data suggests the technology may not be as effective as once believed.

"The research isn't just lopsided. It is 100% to zero overwhelming finding that ShotSpotter lacks sufficient efficacy," says Brian Hofer, who chairs the Oakland Privacy Advisory Commission. The commission recommends and evaluates surveillance technology and data collection practices.

Hofer says the commission was only formed in 2016, which means there was no oversight for the first 10 years ShotSpotter was in place. Her adds ShotSpotter was able to avoid scrutiny because there wasn't data available to determine its effectiveness. Now there is.

"We have over a dozen independent statistical evaluations, covering 75 jurisdictions, and 25 years worth of ShotSpotter history. And that is what the (Privacy Advisory Commission) analyzed," explains Hofer.

The current contract expired in June. A new contact would be renewed for another three years at almost $2.5 million dollars.

RELATED: Critics argue gunshot-detecting technology ineffective as Oakland looks to renew contract

In letter dated October 7, which was sent to the mayor and city council, SoundThinking, a Fremont-based company that operate ShotSpotter, wrote to support renewing the contract.

The letter argues that ShotSpotter enables faster response times compared to just 911 calls, assists in collecting evidence that lead to arrests, and contractually guarantees a 90% accuracy rate.

In a statement to ABC7 News, the company points to a letter of support from Bay Area public companies (including Clorox, Kaiser Permanente, PG&E, and Blue California), which explains that more 380 lives saved between 2020 and 2023. These are victims for whom there were no 911 call within 15 minutes of ShotSpotter alert.

What is more, it cites a study by the Urban Institute that found a three times higher rate of finding shell casings with ShotSpotter. "Additionally, in 2023 alone, 56 firearms, and more than 980 shell casings, have been recovered due to ShotSpotter," the statement says.

"I absolutely support renewing the contract," says Treva Reid, Oakland City Council Member for District 7.

MORE: Is overall Oakland crime down? Here's a look at the data

Oakland city council member Treva Reid says last week she met with 30 community groups, who are in full support of the technology. Reid says despite some spikes, overall, gun violence is trending downward in Oakland. She attributes some of that to the application of ShotSpotter

"It is a tool that has been critical for lives to also be saved through investigative efforts and gun recovery to prevent further shootings," says Reid.

But Hofer points to the number of big cities like Houston and Chicago that are dropping ShotSpotter based on the new evidence.

SoundThinking pushed back on those assertions. It states that despite some contract cancellations, 136 jurisdictions renewed and 25 expanded its ShotSpotter coverage area. And, that it added 40 new cities since last year.

Still, Hofer believes Oakland will likely renew the contract.

"It's like this political sacred cow. We don't actually care whether it works, or whether it's worth the money, we just want to pretend we are doing something about gun violence," says Hofer.