Baton Rouge ends ShotSpotter contract amid budget cuts, accuracy concerns

Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse Jr. is ending a $400,000 annual contract with gunshot detection company ShotSpotter, according to a Feb. 10, 2025 report. The police department is cutting nearly $9 million from its budget. The technology, in use since 2007, covered six of the city’s 80 square miles. In December, the system detected 42% of 470 reported gunshots, according to data from the district attorney’s office. Morse said he was not sure the technology was responsible for a single arrest since he became chief.