Measuring Technology’s Value Beyond Cost

Public safety technology cannot be measured by cost alone. Its true value lies in saving lives, reducing crime, strengthening officer wellness, and building trust with the community. When Police Chiefs and Sheriffs adopt tools with transparency, accountability, and community input, the results speak for themselves—from double-digit drops in homicides to stronger legislative and public support. The most successful deployments show that technology is not just an expense, but a bridge to safer, more trusting communities.

Law enforcement leaders today face a difficult challenge when adopting new technology. Local municipalities, county boards, and other legislative bodies demand proof that every dollar is justified. Communities expect assurance that these investments are making neighborhoods safer and more equitable. For Police Chiefs and Sheriffs, bridging that gap requires trust, transparency, and measurable outcomes. Cost alone cannot determine the value of technology. The true measure is whether it saves lives, builds community trust, and delivers results that can be clearly explained to any audience.

Why Cost Alone Falls Short

Public safety agencies often evaluate technology through a budget-first lens. But focusing only on upfront expense overlooks long-term value—such as reduced overtime, improved officer wellness, enhanced investigations, and, most importantly, lives saved.

Technology that produces measurable results and is paired with transparent reporting helps close the trust divide that has long existed between agencies and the communities they serve.

A Framework for Responsible Tech Deployment

At the 2025 National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) conference, three pillars were highlighted as a foundation for evaluating technology:

• Transparency: Why is this tool being deployed, and what does the community see?
• Accountability: How are outcomes measured, and who reviews the data?
• Community Voice: How do stakeholders provide input, and what does trust look like in practice?

For Police Chiefs and Sheriffs, accountability extends in two directions: inward to officers and staff, and outward to the public they serve. Leaders must ensure personnel understand and embrace the tools, while also demonstrating to communities that technology is deployed responsibly, equitably, and with measurable results.

Real-World Examples

Bibb County, Georgia

When residents questioned why dollars should fund technology instead of more officers, the Sheriff’s Office responded with transparency and community dialogue. The outcome was significant: a 45% decrease in homicides since 2022 and an 87% drop in youth homicides.

Gunshot detection data also supported a receivership case against a crime-producing property, resulting in a 60% local crime drop. The decision was upheld by the Georgia Appeals Court and is now before the state Supreme Court. Bibb County also enacted ordinances requiring high-definition security cameras at high-crime businesses, reducing nearby homicides by 80%.

East Chicago, Indiana

With 56 officers doing the work of 98, city leaders demanded justification for every expense. Through integrated technology, monthly reports to legislators, and open community demonstrations, the East Chicago Police Department delivered results:

• 69% homicide reduction over four years
• 100% homicide clearance rate (up from 60% when fully staffed)
• $96,000 in annual overtime savings

Technology integration multiplied value by supporting strategy, speeding response, and strengthening community trust.

Data-Driven Policing in Action

In East Chicago’s Sunnyside neighborhood, ResourceRouter™ identified a hot spot where an officer was strategically positioned. When 12 rounds were fired, the officer responded within 12 seconds of the ShotSpotter® alert, leading to three arrests and the recovery of weapons. Evidence later linked a suspect to a homicide committed earlier that same day.

Community memberhttps://www.soundthinking.com/law-enforcement/patrol-management-resourcerouter/s also became active partners—sharing Ring footage, submitting anonymous tips, and requesting expanded coverage. Transparency transformed skepticism into trust, which in turn secured support from both residents and legislators.

Building a Value Framework

For any agency considering technology, three guiding questions can shape the decision-making process:

• Does this make us more effective and more equitable?
• Can we defend the results publicly?
• Does the community see and feel the value?

If the answers are unclear, leaders risk losing both legislative and community support—no matter how effective the tool may be operationally.

The Trust Dividend

Transparency yields a “trust dividend.” When communities experience the value of technology, they stop asking “Where are the police?” and start saying “Thank you for being there.” When local legislative bodies see a return on investment measured in both safety and trust, they are far more likely to sustain funding.

Police leaders must remember that accountability runs in both directions: internally to staff and externally to the communities they serve. By clearly explaining why technology is deployed, how it is measured, and how results are reported, leaders strengthen trust inside their departments and across neighborhoods.

The most successful public safety technology deployments are those where officers and residents see themselves as partners in the process. When accountability and transparency guide every step, technology becomes more than a tool—it becomes a bridge to safer, stronger, and more trusting communities.

Discover how SoundThinking can help your agency build a value framework for your technology