The Little Rock city attorney has revealed that a controversial resolution about renewing the city’s contract with ShotSpotter, a gunshot-detection service, is written incorrectly and needs to be fixed before the city board meeting on Tuesday. The resolution, which failed to pass in February, is structured differently from the previous ordinance. Activists have been rallying against the renewal of ShotSpotter, questioning its effectiveness in preventing crime. Local organizers and Campaign Zero, a police-reform advocacy group, have joined forces to campaign against ShotSpotter, using box trucks displaying anti-ShotSpotter messages throughout Little Rock.
Despite a failed attempt in February, Ward 5 Director Lance Hines successfully led a motion to expunge the vote, allowing the board to vote on the ShotSpotter contract once again. However, a new resolution has drawn criticism from local attorney Amy Pritchard, who argues that renewing the contract without proper notice and transparent process undermines public trust. Pritchard highlighted that the proposed resolution is actually a new agreement, not a renewal, and thus should be subject to competitive bidding or a valid sole-source determination. The rushed release of the resolution without proper review has raised concerns about transparency and accountability.
Organizers are hoping for a large turnout at the upcoming city board meeting to express opposition to the ShotSpotter contract renewal. The city attorney and mayor have acknowledged the need to address the errors in the resolution and ensure that the proper legislative process is followed. The controversy surrounding ShotSpotter in Little Rock continues to grow as the community awaits the board’s decision on the contract.
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