Justice and Public Safety

Oklahoma Tornado Highlights Need to Get "Tech Ready"

May 21, 2013 - The Oklahoma tornado highlights the need for multi-faceted disaster preparedness, and that includes personal technology.

Mobile Tech Links Trauma Surgeons with SWAT Teams

May 21, 2013 - The test program equips SWAT officers with computers and cameras so when out in the field, trauma surgeons can help them respond to critical injuries.

Interactive Polling via PowerPoint Makes Classrooms Responsive

May 20, 2013 - Wake County, N.C., EMS classes allow students to answer questions electronically so responses display in a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

SF Considers State Data Center for Disaster Recovery

May 17, 2013 - To help restore information and technology systems in the event of a city emergency, the city is considering switching from a private data center located 3,000 miles away to a state-run facility 100 miles away.

The Role of 311 and Social Media During Disasters

May 17, 2013 - Through additional tools and technologies, cities can refine their disaster response and information-collecting mechanisms by improving the way citizens funnel their communications through 911 and 311.

San Francisco Embraces Social Media During Earthquake Drill

May 16, 2013 - Facebook, Twitter and a preparedness website helps the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management reach citizens during an earthquake preparedness exercise.

Sirens Remain Vital to Hawaii’s Emergency Alert System

May 14, 2013 - Hawaii is retrofitting its entire emergency siren network, moving to satellite and cellular control technology.

San Jose Police Department Launches CityConnect App

May 10, 2013 - This new app combines all of the department's social media links and online information resources in one, easy-to-access place.

FirstNet to Meet with State, Local, Tribal Public Safety Groups

May 9, 2013 - Starting next week, the First Responder Network Authority will consult with public safety officials across the country to get input on the new network.

Social Network for Emergencies to Launch in San Francisco

May 8, 2013 - The site aims to connect citizens willing to offer resources and services after a disaster occurs.

Boston Bombings Show Future Use for Police Drones

May 2, 2013 - While many approve of drone use to pursue known suspects, debate over their use for continuous surveillance at public events like the Boston Marathon rages on.

Boston PD Uses Twitter to Announce More Suspects in Boston Marathon Bombing

May 1, 2013 - On May 1, the Boston Police Department announced via Twitter that three additional suspects were taken into custody in connection with the April 15 bombing.

A New Trend: Inmates Rate Jails on Yelp

April 30, 2013 - A new trend of inmates using Yelp to rate their stays in various jails has garnered both confusion and support.

Boston Bombings Highlight Need for Public Safety Broadband Network

April 29, 2013 - The massive investigation demonstrated how first responders need to be able to securely share high volumes of data with partners in other law enforcement agencies. Relying on commercial carriers to do so may not be practical.

Breath Testing for Pot and Cocaine?

April 26, 2013 - A Stockholm research center claims to have successfully identified marijuana and cocaine use with breath testing.

Crime Victim Notification Gets Personal

April 25, 2013 - The Indiana Department of Corrections is using a new software package to customize notifications for victims of crime.

How Could FirstNet Have Helped in the Boston Marathon Bombing?

April 23, 2013 - In its April 23 meeting, the FirstNet board considers how its future network may have helped in a situation like the Boston Marathon bombing.

Boston Dashboard to Help Coordinate Large-Scale Events

April 22, 2013 - Though the operations monitoring dashboard's soft launch took place the morning of the marathon, emergency personnel and law enforcement couldn't access the system.

FirstNet Board Is Off to an 'Optimistic' Start

April 19, 2013 - Kevin McGinnis is helping to drive the FirstNet board toward the creation of a nationwide public safety network.