March 2024. Blues Vol 40 No. 3

Still Handwriting

Still Handwriting Tickets? CHICAGO SHOTSPOTTER ShotSpotter is gunshot detection technology that has been utilized by Chicago Police for the past seven years. According to their website, the way that ShotSpotter works is, “ShotSpotter uses an array of acoustic sensors that are connected wirelessly to ShotSpotter’s centralized, cloud-based application to reliably detect and accurately locate gunshots using triangulation. Each acoustic sensor captures the precise time and audio associated with impulsive sounds that may represent gunfire. This data is used to locate the incident and is then filtered by sophisticated machine algorithms to classify the event as a potential gunshot.” Essentially, when gunshots are fired - police are alerted to the location. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson recently publicly ended the relationship with ShotSpotter. Often cited by anti-police activists is the police shooting involving Adam Toledo. The 13-year-old Toledo was killed by Chicago police who were responding to a ShotSpotter alert. When the police officer arrived at the scene, Toledo ran away. The officer chased Toledo (who was carrying a gun) down an alley before shooting him in the chest. If Toledo did not fire a gun - the police would not have been notified. Blaming the gunshot detection technology for Toledo’s death - as opposed to - the illegal and dangerous actions of Toledo is insane. • So, the political leaders in Chicago want to make it difficult for law-abiding citizens to purchase guns and easier for violent criminals to get away with actually firing guns. • Fantastic. What could go wrong? SUPER BOWL PARADE There was a mass shooting at the Kansas City Chief’s Super Bowl parade. Over twenty people were shot, and one was person was killed. Tragedies like this bring out the anti-gun activists. I just ask the following question: What law, if implemented, would have prevented this shooting? Of course, since murder is already illegal and the people who violate the murder law do not follow gun control laws - this argument is a mixture of juvenile ignorance and dishonesty. The vast majority of murderers have multiple prior arrests - before they commit a homicide. Most of us know what the problem is - and it is not the guns. If anything, incidents like this inspire more law-abiding people to arm themselves. Everything you want in a citation minus the pen. (There is a better way!) A Flexible, Comprehensive System Cross Platform - Apple, Android, or Windows devices Multiple Courts and Date Scheduling Seamless Integration with Your Court and RMS Accurate and Reliable from Citation to Court. It’s easy to get started...let’s talk. TM by TM Over 35 years of experience in Parking and Public Safety 800-285-3833 sales@cardinaltracking.com ultimatecitation.com 18 The Blues - March ‘24 The Blues - March ‘24 19