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.

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.

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;