Public Safety
Covering topics such as corrections, criminal justice, emergency management, gun control and police/fire/EMS.
Law enforcement has come out of a period of severe criticism with more support than ever. Departments still face many challenges though, most notably hiring enough officers.
Criminal justice experts say understaffing and trauma can contribute to prison violence. Mental health support and a sense of community may help.
Local governments and manufacturers need to embrace standardized firefighting equipment. Otherwise, it’s going to cost too much and isn’t going to be available when we need it.
The state is using roadside tests to check whether drivers have used drugs, similar to tests for alcohol. A pilot program found that 87 percent of tested drivers had used cannabis or illegal drugs.
Above all, staff needs support. And there are techniques for keeping violence in check. Everybody — officers, inmates and communities — benefits.
It’s often legal for officers to deceive suspects — but critics say this can lead to false confessions. Experts have mixed opinions about whether restricting the practice would affect case closure rates.
A state-run insurance program is running out of money following the L.A. wildfires. Lawmakers are looking for ways to shore it up as private insurers leave the state.
Pedestrian deaths dipped slightly in the first half of 2024. California’s 13 percent reduction in deaths accounted for most of the net decline around the country.
Legislators are expected to pass a bill this week that would take oversight of the police away from the city. That Civil War-era approach had been ended by state voters in 2012.
Police have increasingly adopted drones and ground robots to supplement their work. But departments often lack clear policies on the tools’ uses.
Threats and harassment have become common, prompting an Oregon proposal to criminalize such behavior. Although limited to threats of imminent violence, critics say it would still stifle free speech.
The plan comes after crime in Downtown Crossing and other areas throughout the city has reached a seven-year high due to drug use, focusing on treating rather than arresting users and dealers.
The bill calls on utilities to meet wildfire protection standards. In return, they'd gain legal protection.
Jeff Landry has secured $42 million to reopen a youth prison in the Baton Rouge area, part of his push to expand juvenile incarceration facilities.
The consequences of sanctuary policies extend far beyond the ideological debate surrounding immigration enforcement. These policies enable criminal networks to make communities more dangerous.
Many states, particularly Republican-led ones, are feeling pressure to align their legislative priorities with the presidential administration. But states are facing new financial constraints after years of revenue growth.
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