New Orleans Reinstates Controversial ShotSpotter Gunfire Detection System

The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) has announced the reinstatement of ShotSpotter, a gunfire detection system, in the city's 5th District as part of a six-month pilot program. This decision marks the return of a technology that was discontinued over a decade ago due to concerns about its effectiveness in reducing crime.

ShotSpotter, developed by SoundThinking Inc., utilizes a network of acoustic sensors to detect and locate gunfire in real-time, aiming to provide law enforcement with rapid alerts for quicker responses to shooting incidents. As of 2025, the system is deployed in over 150 cities across the United States.

According to NOPD spokesperson Karen Boudrie, the current iteration of ShotSpotter offers more advanced capabilities compared to its previous deployment in New Orleans. "ShotSpotter's technology is much more advanced than when New Orleans last used it," Boudrie stated. NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, who began her tenure in 2023, supports the use of technology to aid crime-fighting efforts.

Despite these advancements, ShotSpotter remains a contentious tool. Critics argue that its deployment can lead to aggressive policing in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods. An Associated Press investigation highlighted serious flaws within the system, including instances where human reviewers overruled the algorithm's decisions, adding a subjective element to the process. In 2021, human reviewers overruled the algorithm's decisions 10% of the time.

Studies have also questioned the system's effectiveness. A 2021 study in the Journal of Experimental Criminology found that ShotSpotter "may be of little benefit to police agencies with a pre-existing high call volume," indicating no reductions in serious violent crimes but an increase in demands on police resources. Similarly, a 2024 Northeastern University study showed that ShotSpotter increased detection of gunfire but did not result in a reduction of gun violence or an increase in gunshot crime case clearance.

Other major cities have reevaluated their use of ShotSpotter. In February 2024, Chicago announced it would not renew its contract with the company, citing concerns over the system's accuracy and its role in aggressive policing tactics. The city had spent approximately $49 million on the technology since 2018. Similarly, in 2022, the Atlanta Police Department rejected ShotSpotter due to its high cost and concerns about its effectiveness. The department found that the system duplicated gunshot reports and was not worth the annual cost of about $280,000.

Despite the controversies, public opinion in New Orleans appears to favor technological measures in crime-fighting efforts. A survey indicated that 84% of New Orleans adults support the increased use of computer analytics by law enforcement. The NOPD has previously adopted real-time alerts from Project NOLA’s AI crime cameras, reflecting a broader trend towards integrating technology in policing strategies.

The reinstatement of ShotSpotter in New Orleans underscores the ongoing debate over the balance between technological advancements in crime detection and the potential for over-policing in marginalized communities. As the pilot program progresses, its outcomes may influence future decisions on the use of such technologies in urban policing.