Dayton will get rid of ShotSpotter due to cost, new state gun law, and police response

DAYTON, Ohio (WKEF) -- In 2023, Dayton’s ShotSpotter system will go dark. It went live in 2019 despite opposition from some.

Dayton 24/7 Now’s Mamie Bah asked, “I know a few years ago, you were among a group of citizens who weren’t really for this technology. Did you think when it came time to renew this contract years later, this would be the outcome?”

“What it says to me is that Mayor Mims and the rest of the City Commission believe the city could come together and solve some of these problems," said Donald Domineck with the Dayton New Black Panther Party.

But there are some residents who believe the technology provides an extra layer of security.

It has led to arrests in 74 incidents.

Commissioner Darryl Fairchild told Mamie that the data doesn’t justify claims that the technology has helped solve crimes.

“I'd certainly be open. If there is data that shows that, to rethinking this," said Commissioner Fairchild.

The City of Dayton says the ShotSpotter has led to a 55% reduction in all crime categories, compared to 37% without it.

The technology costs the city almost $615,000.

Commissioner Fairchild says this money can now go toward something else.

“We want our citizens to be safe, this is a key part of you know, making the city we want. So finding the right tools, both for police and for the city, is going to be really important," said Fairchild.

Which is something Domineck supports. He says ShotSpotter was never the answer and instead the city needs, “A more of a self-determined, a more of a community empowered initiative.”

The technology is primarily located in northwest Dayton.

The Dayton Police Department cited Ohio's Concealed Carry Laws, which allows someone to have a gun without a permit, saying it's having an unknown impact on their ability to address firearm related incidents.

The Dayton Police Department was not available for an interview.

However, in a statement the department said , “Based on the analysis of the ShotSpotter data, considering community response, changes in state law, budget, officer response, and other factors, it has been decided that the City of Dayton and the Dayton Police Department will not renew the ShotSpotter Contract in 2023.”