Trending...
- Tacoma Municipal Court Judge Drew Henke Announces Retirement After Decades of Public Service
- Spokane: New Automated Traffic Safety Cameras Installed at Intersection of Mission and Greene
- Applications Now Being Accepted for Tacoma Municipal Court Judge No. 2 Position
~ Tacoma, WA- At-Large Council Member Olgy Diaz has released a statement regarding the implementation of ShotSpotter technology in the city. In her statement, she expressed concerns about the potential budgetary and staffing impacts, as well as unintended consequences of over-policing and data security.
Diaz had previously spoken out about her concerns in April when the announcement was made that ShotSpotter would be coming to Tacoma. She stated that she had many questions about how the technology would work and how it would be implemented by the Tacoma Police Department.
Since then, Diaz has met with city and police department leaders to learn more about the program. The Tacoma Police Department has also created a webpage with frequently asked questions to address concerns raised by Diaz and other community members.
One of Diaz's main concerns was data integrity and privacy. She wanted reassurance that the data collected by ShotSpotter would not be shared with third parties such as SoundThinking or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Tacoma Police Department has assured her that they will not share any data with SoundThinking and that ICE is not involved in this grant.
More on Washingtoner
Diaz also expressed concern about potential unintended consequences of over-policing in certain neighborhoods. She stated that if the technology is found to be inconsistent with the values of the police department, it will immediately cease its use.
However, there are still some unknowns about how this technology will impact response times and staffing priorities in other areas of Tacoma. Other cities have tried this program before, but it did not work for them. As a result, there is no commitment from the council to continue funding ShotSpotter beyond the end of the grant-funded pilot.
The ShotSpotter technology pilot is part of a larger Department of Justice grant that includes other necessary technologies for the Tacoma Police Department. This includes crime scene imaging tools and new fingerprinting tools, which will help solve crimes and keep citizens safer. These tools will remain in use regardless of the outcome of the ShotSpotter pilot.
More on Washingtoner
In addition to the three-year pilot, the Tacoma Police Department is required to provide education to the community about the technology. This grant also ensures that there will be more opportunities for dialogue and questions from community members about police technologies. Meetings will be held in various neighborhood groups, such as Neighborhood Council meetings, Safe Streets meetings, and Neighborhood Business District meetings.
Diaz thanked community members who attended outreach opportunities by the Tacoma Police Department to learn more about the program and grant. She emphasized the importance of hearing from those who live and work in the Hosmer area where the pilot is being implemented. Diaz encouraged everyone to stay involved in this conversation as there is still much to learn about the technology and its impact on accountability and safety.
The implementation of ShotSpotter technology has sparked discussions about police technologies in Tacoma. With more opportunities for dialogue and transparency, Diaz hopes that trust between law enforcement and community members can continue to grow.
Diaz had previously spoken out about her concerns in April when the announcement was made that ShotSpotter would be coming to Tacoma. She stated that she had many questions about how the technology would work and how it would be implemented by the Tacoma Police Department.
Since then, Diaz has met with city and police department leaders to learn more about the program. The Tacoma Police Department has also created a webpage with frequently asked questions to address concerns raised by Diaz and other community members.
One of Diaz's main concerns was data integrity and privacy. She wanted reassurance that the data collected by ShotSpotter would not be shared with third parties such as SoundThinking or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Tacoma Police Department has assured her that they will not share any data with SoundThinking and that ICE is not involved in this grant.
More on Washingtoner
- Americans Are Building Family Legacies That Last Generations — Not Just Paychecks That Last a Month
- Bent Danholm Lists Contemporary Lakefront Residence in Winter Garden's Avalon Cove
- Safe Health Zones: A Global Breakthrough to Protect Night-Shift Workers from Preventable Harm
- ProfileSpider Launches Powerful One-Click Profile Scraper for Recruiters and Growth Teams
- NATCO Awarded U.S. Patent for Persimonal® – Breakthrough Innovation in Preparing Persimmon Leaf Extract
Diaz also expressed concern about potential unintended consequences of over-policing in certain neighborhoods. She stated that if the technology is found to be inconsistent with the values of the police department, it will immediately cease its use.
However, there are still some unknowns about how this technology will impact response times and staffing priorities in other areas of Tacoma. Other cities have tried this program before, but it did not work for them. As a result, there is no commitment from the council to continue funding ShotSpotter beyond the end of the grant-funded pilot.
The ShotSpotter technology pilot is part of a larger Department of Justice grant that includes other necessary technologies for the Tacoma Police Department. This includes crime scene imaging tools and new fingerprinting tools, which will help solve crimes and keep citizens safer. These tools will remain in use regardless of the outcome of the ShotSpotter pilot.
More on Washingtoner
- City of Spokane Funds 50 New Shelter Beds, Mobile Medication Assisted Treatment Services
- Rio Bela Cosmetics Launches Inclusive Line of Organic Skincare Products
- The 7 Visibility Problems Costing Independent Hotels Thousands Every Month
- Viola's Babygirl's, LLC Proudly Announces Teri Tobin's Soulful New Christmas EP "Home For The Holidays"
- Stoxtel Introduces High-Throughput "Matrix" Engine to Address Mexico's Crypto Trading Volatility
In addition to the three-year pilot, the Tacoma Police Department is required to provide education to the community about the technology. This grant also ensures that there will be more opportunities for dialogue and questions from community members about police technologies. Meetings will be held in various neighborhood groups, such as Neighborhood Council meetings, Safe Streets meetings, and Neighborhood Business District meetings.
Diaz thanked community members who attended outreach opportunities by the Tacoma Police Department to learn more about the program and grant. She emphasized the importance of hearing from those who live and work in the Hosmer area where the pilot is being implemented. Diaz encouraged everyone to stay involved in this conversation as there is still much to learn about the technology and its impact on accountability and safety.
The implementation of ShotSpotter technology has sparked discussions about police technologies in Tacoma. With more opportunities for dialogue and transparency, Diaz hopes that trust between law enforcement and community members can continue to grow.
0 Comments
Latest on Washingtoner
- Fatal Early Morning House Fire in Northwest Spokane Claims Life of Chi
- We're Winning: Historic Plunge in Overdose Deaths Marks Stunning Reversal in America's Drug Crisis
- Tacoma: Applicants sought for the Human Rights Commission
- Tacoma: Applicants Sought for the Human Services Commission
- Spokane: City Closures Planned for Thanksgiving Holiday
- Lineus Medical Receives Patent for SafeBreak® Vascular Generation 2
- New 2025–2026 Energy Rebates: Squeaks Services Explains How to Qualify
- CCHR's New Documentary Prescription for Violence Highlights Overlooked Safety Warnings
- Men's Health Network Announces a New Feature to Support the Well-Being of Men When and Where They Are through Text Alerts
- Comp-U-Floor Unveils Powerful New Commercial Module
- Revenue Optics Announces the Appointment of Sonal Chowdhury as Senior Manager – Strategic Operations
- How California Convinces Buyers Not to Purchase New Cars — and How This Hurts Dealers
- Zaaz Hosts First-of-Its-Kind Creator Series Event in Seattle Studios
- Tax Fears and Political Volatility Drive Wealthy UK Residents to Consider Leaving, La Vida Survey Shows
- Titan Steel Buildings Expands Nationwide to Deliver Large Steel Warehouses and Industrial Facilities
- AI Robots Deliver 145% Annualized Returns Amid Market Volatility
- Kaltra Removes Size Barriers for Microchannel Coils with Fully Integrated Large-MCHE Production
- Premium Kitchen Remodeling Services in Camas, WA
- Spokane: Council Members Propose Budget Amendment to Fund Libraries and Public Safety
- Guests Can Save 10 Percent Off New Vacation Rental Homes at KeysCaribbean's Village at Hawks Cay Villas