Though Toronto police say ShotSpotter technology will help tackle the spike in gun crime, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association has pointed out privacy concerns the technology will bring.
Deputy Chief Barbara McLean speaking at a City Council public meeting today.
By: Ebony Tempral | OTH News | Posted: September 28, 2018
The Toronto Police Service Board and City Council had a public meeting today to further explain the plans to increase surveillance in Toronto and implementing ShotSpotter. Deputy Chief Barbara McLean stood in for Chief of Police Mark Saunders to answer questions others had of this new device and what will this mean for Torontonians.
Deputy Chief McLean says, along with neighbourhood police, ShotSpotter could help battle gun crime but before they put anything in place, they want to consult with the public. Mayor John Tory said the preliminary decisions were made after discussions with the TPSB early July.
Toronto Police reports have shown a total of 86 homicides as of September 2018.
The plan came under heavy criticism by attendees. Some of the concerns voiced were: not having enough public consultation and reports showing it’s not as effective as they might think.
The ShotSpotter website says the audio sensor has been successful in over 90 cities across the US. A Chicago police superintendent is quoted saying the technology has reduced gun crime after a year of using the device.
The website further breakdown exactly how data is collected and processed. The acoustic sensors are “strategically placed in an array of 15-20 sensors per square mile” to detect and triangulate gunshot activity. The precise location and time are sent, and the data is filtered through machine algorithms. It is then further analyzed by “expertly trained staff" to determine whether it was a gunshot. "This process takes less than 45 seconds…” The information is sent to “any browser-enabled device or mobile device… officers can approach the precise location of the gunfire incident quickly and safely to engage the shooter, interview witnesses, and collect key evidence at the crime scene”
Canadian Civil Liberties Association’s Director of Privacy, Technology & Surveillance Project, Brenda McPhail, echoes the concerns of the public but also recognizes the importance of taking measures to have a safe city. McPhail says this "...doesn’t mean that police should never have the option of using new surveillance tools if they’re absolutely necessary and if the risk of invasion is proportionate to the benefit that we as Torontonians are going to get from the technology.”
McPhail also highlighted how this tool can cause a rift between police and communities. She says “We’re concerned that not all communities experience surveillance in the same way and communities that have a history of being over-policed, which are often communities that are racialized; we know in the city of Toronto, that the black community in particular has had very serious concerns about relationships with police. It's been well reported. And So, when you add surveillance to neighbourhoods where citizen-police relationships may not be the best in the first place, that can make that community feel very targeted.” McPhail encouraged the City to consider less evasive ways to combat gun violence in the city.
CCLA's Barbara McPhail during an interview on ShotSpotter | September 13, 2018.
They’ve also written a letter outlining their concerns to Mayor John Tory but didn’t receive a response. Read full letter here.
Deputy Chief McLean's response to these concerns is “I don’t want it to be seen as this is the answer to everything, it’s not. It’s those relationships with our police officers in our communities, that mostly are also an important part of our response to this as are the intervention programs and working with the focus tables…”
Mayor John Tory says this is will cost $4 million over two years. The total cost for investments in justice and system reforms is $15 million. They plan to request funds from federal or provincial governments.
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