Cincinnati Police Departments Turn to AI Technology to Combat Gun Crime
CINCINNATI — In an effort to address a rising tide of gun violence, police departments across Ohio are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) technologies like ShotSpotter to enhance their crime-fighting capabilities. ShotSpotter utilizes advanced sound detection to alert officers to gunfire incidents in real-time.
Ohio ranks 16th in the nation for gun homicides and assaults, according to everystat.org. In response, law enforcement agencies are experimenting with AI to bolster public safety. While some, such as the Dayton police, have pulled away from ShotSpotter due to budget constraints, community concerns, and changing laws, others continue to support its implementation—citing its effectiveness. The Dayton police reported a 55% reduction in gun crimes during the program’s three-year tenure.
However, activists express apprehension regarding potential over-policing facilitated by surveillance technology. Carlos Buford, founder of Black Lives Matter Dayton, believes the increase in surveillance devices contributes to a sense of oppression in marginalized communities. He advocates for the termination of the ShotSpotter program, aligning it with the organization’s ten-point demands aimed at reducing aggressive police tactics.
Despite mixed sentiment, police departments such as Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus are expanding their budgets to incorporate AI technologies into their operations. Thomas Chittum, vice president of forensic services at Sound Thinking—the company behind ShotSpotter—notes that over 180 cities utilize the system, finding it highly accurate.
Former Dayton police chief David Fox argues for the return of ShotSpotter, emphasizing its potential to help deter violence if managed properly. As the debate continues, Dayton police are currently utilizing beat officers as they explore other methods to combat gun violence in the community.
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