MA Police Leaders Pen Letter Supporting ShotSpotter’s Accuracy, Effectiveness and Value

Rhea-AI Summary

SoundThinking shared an open letter from 11 Massachusetts law enforcement leaders supporting ShotSpotter technology. This letter counters claims made by four Congress members about ShotSpotter's accuracy and effectiveness. Released on July 2, 2024, the letter states that those on the ground, not distant officials, best judge ShotSpotter's value. Signatories include top officials from Boston, Cambridge, Revere, and other localities. The letter emphasizes ShotSpotter's role in saving lives and responding to gun violence. The full letter is available on GlobeNewswire.

Summary: Leading public safety technology company, SoundThinking, Inc., shared an open letter from 11 Massachusetts law enforcement leaders supporting the accuracy, effectiveness and value of ShotSpotter technology against recent misleading assertions by four members of Congress.

BOSTON, July 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SoundThinking, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSTI) (formerly ShotSpotter, Inc.), a leading public safety technology company, today announced the publication of an open public letter of support for ShotSpotter technology prepared in coordination with SoundThinking and signed by top law enforcement officials from 11 Massachusetts communities and a SoundThinking director. This letter addresses recent misinformation about ShotSpotter acoustic gunshot detection technology contained in a May 14, 2024 letter from Senators Ed Markey (MA), Elizabeth Warren (MA), Ron Wyden (OR), and Representative Ayanna Pressley (MA) to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Inspector General.

The letter to the Congressional delegation states:

“We believe you have been misinformed and this formed the basis of your May 14 letter – a letter that draws misleading and, frankly, dangerous conclusions that compromise public safety.”

The letter continues:

“Let us be clear: ShotSpotter is effective, accurate, and welcomed in our communities, and has the proven capability to save lives and help us effectively respond to gun violence.”

And finally:

“We respectfully submit that the best judges of the efficacy, fairness, and value of ShotSpotter are not distant elected officials in Washington, but, rather, those of us on the ground locally, including our fellow civic and community leaders who live daily with the threat of gun violence and who rightfully welcome the use of this technology to help keep their neighborhoods safe.”

The letter is signed by:

Commissioner Michael Cox, Boston
Commissioner Christine Elow, Cambridge
Chief David Callahan, Revere
Chief Paul Strong, Everett
Chief Keith Houghton, Chelsea
Chief Paul Oliviera, New Bedford
Chief David Pratt, Holyoke
Superintendent Lawrence Akers, Springfield
Interim Chief Paul Saucier, Worcester
Capt. Matt Hill on behalf of Chief Thomas Dawley, Pittsfield
Provisional Chief Melix Bonilla, Lawrence
William J. Bratton, Former Police Commissioner, Boston PD; Former Police Commissioner, NYPD; Former LAPD Chief of Police

Read the full letter here or below:

The letter accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8c446406-9477-4e39-a4fb-8ab243b349d1

About SoundThinking
SoundThinking, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSTI) is a leading public safety technology company that delivers AI- and data-driven solutions for law enforcement, civic leadership, and security professionals. SoundThinking is trusted by approximately 250 customers and has worked with over 2,000 agencies to drive more efficient, effective, and equitable public safety outcomes. The company’s SafetySmart™ platform includes ShotSpotter^®, the leading acoustic gunshot detection system; CrimeTracer™, the foremost law enforcement search engine; CaseBuilder™, a one-stop investigation management system; ResourceRouter™, software that directs patrol and community anti-violence resources to help maximize their impact; and SafePointe^®, a next-generation concealed weapons detection system. SoundThinking has been designated a Great Place to Work^® Company.

Company Contact:
Alan Stewart, CFO
SoundThinking, Inc.
+1 (510) 794-3100
astewart@soundthinking.com

Investor Relations Contacts:
Matt Glover and Greg Bradbury
Gateway Group, Inc.
+1 (949) 574-3860
SSTI@gateway-grp.com

FAQ

What is the purpose of the open letter from Massachusetts law enforcement leaders regarding ShotSpotter?

The letter aims to support the accuracy, effectiveness, and value of ShotSpotter technology, countering recent misleading claims by Congress members.

When was the open letter supporting ShotSpotter released?

The open letter was released on July 2, 2024.

What recent claims are being countered by the open letter supporting ShotSpotter?

The letter counters claims made by four Congress members in a May 14, 2024 letter regarding ShotSpotter's accuracy and effectiveness.

Who are some of the signatories of the letter supporting ShotSpotter technology?

Signatories include Commissioner Michael Cox from Boston, Commissioner Christine Elow from Cambridge, and Chief David Callahan from Revere, among others.

What is the main assertion of the letter supporting ShotSpotter?

The letter asserts that ShotSpotter is effective, accurate, and valuable in saving lives and responding to gun violence.

How does the letter describe the best judges of ShotSpotter's efficacy and value?

The letter states that local law enforcement and community leaders, not distant elected officials, are the best judges of ShotSpotter's efficacy and value.

What does the letter emphasize about ShotSpotter's role in communities?

The letter emphasizes that ShotSpotter helps save lives and effectively respond to gun violence in communities.

What company shared the open letter supporting ShotSpotter?

SoundThinking shared the open letter supporting ShotSpotter technology.