Springfield Council Approves $1.1 Million ShotSpotter Renewal

Springfield’s City Council approved a three-year ShotSpotter renewal worth about $1 million to $1.1 million, despite aldermen’s calls for stronger oversight. Mayor Misty Buscher said city data showed 73% of reported gunfire occurred within sensor boundaries, while Police Chief Joseph Behl credited the system as one factor in an increase in illegal guns recovered—from 250 to 450—but acknowledged it is part of a broader public-safety strategy. Critics and some council members questioned the system’s effectiveness, noting that research cited by an alderman found only a modest improvement in response times and could not establish a reduction in gun violence. They also sought information on false alarms and questioned whether sensor coverage is equitably distributed; the city has not released detector locations or the requested breakdown of confirmed gunfire versus false alerts. The amendment seeking additional oversight failed, and the renewal passed.