As they try to keep Newburgh out of bankruptcy in 2020, city officials here are faced with several tough decisions, including whether to suspend the Shotspotter program to save up to three police officers' jobs.

Shotspotter is a service that uses sensors around the city to immediately notify police when and where shootings happen, enabling a faster response. Police department representatives at Wednesday's city council work session brought up the possible trade-off.

Council members were surprised to learn from police that a year-long suspension of the program would save $195,000. A suspension of Shotspotter is one of a few big cuts the city is considering to save some of the 25 police and fire positions that could be nixed in the 2020 budget.

"It's been keeping me up at night," said Ward #2 Councilwoman Ramona Monteverde of the decision.

Monteverde said keeping officers over Shotspotter might be the right call, especially since Shotspotter does not work perfectly in Newburgh. Police told the council on Wednesday the program does not catch all shootings, and is sometimes triggered by fireworks or backfiring cars.

Monteverde said she has heard from many constituents who agree with police on this.

"There's a couple of people over in my ward who own several buildings and also live in Ward #2," Monteverde said during an interview Sunday. "They're willing, and they understand if we put Shotspotter on hold for a year, that's something that they're willing to accept."

Police department officials said they are looking into other funding sources — possibly the state — to help pay for the Shotspotter program in the future, but they would not receive any assistance in time to be factored into the 2020 budget.