Durham's ShotSpotter plans delayed again

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- A new shooting detection technology in Durham appears to be delayed again.

Monday night was scheduled to be the public's last chance to weigh in on the installation of ShotSpotter. ShotSpotter is a controversial new tool touted as a way to make communities safer by detecting gunshots in real-time. Critics say it is technology that raises privacy concerns.

Once the sensors go off officers can then be alerted and deployed to a scene more quickly than if they wait for a 911 call.

Back in September, Durham City Council approved a one-year contract for the program.

All but two council members voted yes for the contract expected to cost more than $197,000.

Durham would be the sixth city in the state to get the technology.

The program has already been delayed once. It was supposed to go live Tuesday, but with this latest delay that date has been extended and now is unknown.

If and when it does begin, ShotSpotter will cover east and southeast Durham.