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Little Rock board rejects $188,000 renewal for ShotSpotter after public outcry
Summary
After more than an hour of public comment and debate, the Little Rock Board of Directors voted 5-3 (with two absences) against a $188,000 contract amendment for Sound Thinking Inc., formerly ShotSpotter, which would have renewed gunshot-detection sensors and added case-management software.
The Little Rock Board of Directors voted down an ordinance to authorize a fourth contract amendment with Sound Thinking Incorporated (formerly ShotSpotter) for up to $188,000 to renew a wide-area gunshot detection service and add case-builder software. The vote failed 5-3 with two members absent; city rules require six affirmative votes to pass the item.
Supporters of rejecting the contract framed the decision as a choice to prioritize community-based prevention and questioned ShotSpotter’s effectiveness. "ShotSpotter isn't it," said Osiris Bali, a community member and newly elected school board member. "Safety is not the presence of force, but it's the presence of resources, care, and opportunity."
The debate drew a lengthy public comment period. Residents and community organizers urged the board to steer funds to youth programs, jobs and wraparound services rather than expanded surveillance. "Let's not make the same mistake in Little Rock," said Veil Fair, reading a passage from the American Civil Liberties Union and citing Chicago data about false alerts. Several residents cited local experience and national studies showing high rates of false or unproductive detections.
Board members split along lines of perceived public demand and skepticism about the technology. Director Miller said he had received calls from constituents who want ShotSpotter and that it can lead to more directed patrols; "I'm gonna be voting for this," he told the board. Directors Webb, Phillips and Lewis said after reviewing the evidence they would vote no. "I cannot support this continuation of this contract because I do not think the technology is there," Director Webb said. "I'll be voting no on this as well," Director Phillips added.
Mayor Scott and other board members noted the city has recently approved funding for multiple community prevention and intervention programs; opponents urged reallocating the $188,000 toward those efforts. Blake Tierney cited a local media report saying "only 1 public police report in the year 2023 attributed a criminal investigation to ShotSpotter evidence," an example used by speakers who questioned the program’s cost-effectiveness.
After the vote failed, board members and speakers reiterated the need for both prevention programs and for ensuring neighborhoods that ask for additional tools feel heard. The ordinance’s failure means the city will not move forward with the proposed contract amendment at this time. The board separately approved a package of community prevention contracts earlier in the meeting.
Votes at a glance: the ordinance to amend the Sound Thinking contract (item 22) failed on a 5-3 roll call with two absences; six affirmative votes were required for passage under city rules.
What happens next: The city manager and police department may return with other options or requests for funding; no additional action on this contract was recorded in the meeting minutes.
