Minneapolis is poised to extend its contract for gunshot detection technology — but only modestly expand where police use it. Why it matters: The proposal before the city council Thursday is an attempt to balance skepticism that ShotSpotter locks in a pattern of heavy-handed policing in majority Black and Latino neighborhoods with officials' contention that it's a useful tool.

The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday extended a contract for ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology, amid debate over whether or not it makes the city safer. It’s a smaller expansion than law enforcement requested;

Minneapolis City Council members voted on Thursday to continue using and even expand the use of ShotSpotter technology in the city, at least for now.

In a 13-0 vote, the City Council signed off on a two-year contract renewal with ShotSpotter that spreads acoustic sensors into parts of Loring Park and Whittier.

The Minneapolis City Council is considering a "more moderate expansion" of ShotSpotter following concerns about the original proposal.

A council committee agreed to sign off on a 2-year contract renewal that expands the acoustic gunshot detection system by .6 miles, into parts of Loring Park and Whittier.

Minneapolis’s contract for gunfire detection technology — most commonly referred to as ShotSpotter — is up for a council committee discussion Monday, as some are asking if city taxpayers should pay more for it.