Public Safety
Covering topics such as corrections, criminal justice, emergency management, gun control and police/fire/EMS.
A Kentucky teachers union is calling on Fayette County Public Schools to follow Cincinnati’s lead with designated “Safe Sleep Lots” as housing insecurity among students persists.
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.
The administration is shifting resources away from Housing First, the long-established approach of getting individuals into supportive housing as the first priority.
The sheriff of Winneshiek County has complied with all federal and state immigration enforcement requests, but state Attorney General Brenna Bird said his Facebook post spread false information about the need for court orders.
Utah’s new legislation addresses parents’ concerns, doesn’t tax state or local resources for enforcement, and is popular with the public. Other states should see it as a model.
The City Council wants to shift funds toward projects that have been stalled for years or even decades. Sacramento has seen 300 traffic deaths over the past eight years.
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.
Most Read
