Birmingham has extended its contract to use the sonar detection service ShotSpotter for another three years to detect the location of gunfire within the 20-square-mile radius of the city.

On Tuesday, the Birmingham City Council approved a 3-year agreement with SoundThinking Inc., for its subscription to ShotSpotter Gunshot Detection, Location, and Forensic Analysis Service.

The existing agreement ends Sept. 30, and the new contract will extend through Sept. 30, 2028.

The city will spend $3,034,0920 over three years, about $1 million a year.

Some cities, such as Chicago, have terminated use of the service, questioning its accuracy. Birmingham has used it for nearly 20 years, and city officials say it’s an integral piece of law enforcement technology.

City Council member Hunter Williams

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