Justice and Public Safety

Flood Early Warning System Keeps Austin, Texas, Prepared

July 19, 2012 - Technology incorporates multiple data sources and predictive modeling to help keep residents safe from floods in Austin, Texas.

FBI Wants a Tattoo Database

July 19, 2012 - The barbed-wire tattoo on your bicep could live on forever.

Texas City Providing IT Support During Child Abductions

July 18, 2012 - The IT department of Bryan, Texas, has volunteered its time and expertise to help better prepare a local child abduction response team for action.

How Law Enforcement Is Using Social Media (Infographic)

July 18, 2012 - Four out of five officers use social media for investigative purposes, according to a survey conducted by LexisNexis Risk Solutions.

What’s the Future of the Wireless Spectrum?

July 16, 2012 - The FCC and industry executives discuss challenges associated with growing citizen demand.

2012 Digital Counties Survey Winners Announced

July 16, 2012 - The 2012 Digital Counties Survey winners include Charles County, Md.; Sussex County, N.J.; Dutchess County, N.Y.; and Fairfax County, Va.

Seattle Considering Gunshot Detection System

July 14, 2012 - City is trying to address a spate of gun-related homicides in 2012.

Half of U.S. States Now Ban Internet Stalking and Harassment

July 13, 2012 - Arizona is updating its stalking laws to include email and text messaging.

Laser Scanner Could Redefine Airport Security

July 11, 2012 - Molecular-level laser scanners that identify everything from what a person ate for breakfast to his adrenaline level may soon come to airports and elsewhere.

New Jersey ACLU Releases App for Recording Police

July 6, 2012 - Video footage will be sent to the American Civil Liberties Union and stored on a secure server.

Michigan Fights Drunken Driving with Talking Urinal Cakes

July 5, 2012 - Interactive deodorizers remind men to take a cab home.

4 Hot Technology Tools for Public Safety (VIDEO)

July 3, 2012 - Mobile data, video analytics, license plate recognition and remote monitoring for police and fire.

Casino Gives City a Citizen Alerts App

July 3, 2012 - In return, free promotion for the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom in New Hampshire is displayed in the emergency app.

4 Hot Technology Tools for Public Safety

July 3, 2012 - Mobile data, video analytics, license plate recognition and remote monitoring for police and fire.

Los Angeles Police Getting Results from Crime-Predicting Software

July 2, 2012 - The software creates a “heat map” that was found to be more accurate than seasoned police veterans at predicting where crimes would happen next.

Weather Warnings Ready for U.S. Cellphone Alerting System

June 29, 2012 - The National Weather Service can now send Wireless Emergency Alerts to cellphones based on their location.

NYC Red Light Cameras May Save Wallet, Hurt Pride

June 28, 2012 - No longer issuing fines from 40 red light cameras, New York City is looking for a way to make use of the cameras it already bought and paid for.

Video Chat with Police in Redwood City, Calif.

June 28, 2012 - The service is not to be used for emergency purposes as a replacement for 911.

Report: FBI Fingerprint Database Adds Iris, Face, Palm Scans

June 28, 2012 - The expansion is part of a multiyear $1 billion program now under way.

Big Data Is a ‘New Natural Resource,’ IBM Says

June 27, 2012 - IBM researchers explain the need for big data in the public sector, calling it the “new natural resource.”