Public Safety
Covering topics such as corrections, criminal justice, emergency management, gun control and police/fire/EMS.
Enhancements and weatherization efforts mean this year’s freezing weather did not overwhelm the state’s electric system. But policymakers face tough decisions as future load projections grow.
Climate change is causing once-predictable winter weather patterns to now become uncertain, which could lead to greater water pollution and deterioration of road infrastructure across the state.
The systems shouldn’t be diluted in the name of “reform.” Licensing benefits women and minorities, brings higher wages and protects the public.
The CHP, one of California’s largest police agencies, does not provide body cameras for 97 percent of its officers.
Los Angeles gasoline prices are reaching record highs and the Metro has reduced costs to encourage riders, yet many still aren’t riding public transit for safety concerns. Violent crimes on the system rose 36 percent last year.
Residents across the Maryland county are reporting instances in which they are forced to wait several minutes before they’re connected with a 911 operator. Improving call center retention and efficiency could help alleviate the issue.
Sensors embedded into road pavement can help detect when a truck’s tires have become unsafe, which could cause blowouts at high speeds and result in serious injury or death. More than 5,000 people died in large-truck crashes in 2019.
The police department does not currently have a timeline for implementing the technology. The process has been delayed by discussions over privacy and public access to the footage.
A survey found residents want police to write reports and be interviewed before being allowed to view body camera recordings. They also favor the immediate public release of videos showing police using deadly force.
The city’s police department has been using ShotSpotter to detect gunshots and respond more quickly for the past two years, but activists question whether the tool is really as beneficial as the city claims.
As government call centers grapple with the nationwide staffing shortage and an influx in demand, some are implementing artificial intelligence tools to improve wait times and accessibility for callers.
It’s too easy for a debate to degenerate to binary choices. In dealing with public safety issues, Dallas’ mayor embraced a range of solutions rather than simply picking a side.
The emergency response agency argues that the city improperly rolled back public health orders while the city thinks that the shelters it built for homeless populations should be covered by federal disaster aid.
The department will dispose of all records and data collected from the now-defunct spy plane program. It is unclear if there are any criminal prosecutions using the collected data or when the police will begin the expunging.
Too often local governments aren’t prepared, with well-trained staff in place around the clock. That has big implications for emergency management and homeland security.
Police officials claim the seizures and forfeitures are used to take down drug and criminal networks, but critics say the laws disproportionately impact poor people and make it too easy for property to be taken without evidence.
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