Justice and Public Safety

Police Scan Windows to Identify Illegal Tinting

September 27, 2012 - Using a light transmittance meter, many police departments are finding an easy way to crack down on illegal window tinting that can endanger driver and officer safety.

Tech Staff Helps Louisiana Post-Isaac

September 27, 2012 - West Virginia, California and others provide critical tech assistance for residents impacted by Hurricane Isaac.

Fire Department Tests QR Codes for Citizen Medical Data

September 26, 2012 - The Marin County, Calif., Fire Department pilots quick response codes that provide secure medical information about residents.

Public Safety: Have You Converted to Narrowbanding Yet?

September 25, 2012 - Agencies can take these three steps to meet the Jan. 1, 2013, deadline to convert land mobile radio functionality to narrowbanding.

Cameras Watch Cameras in Prince George’s County, Md.

September 24, 2012 - The county adds cameras to curb vandalism of traffic cameras.

Maryland Interoperability Director Discusses Emergency Radio System

September 24, 2012 - Ray Lehr talks about the rollout of the statewide first responders radio system.

‘Call Me Maybe’ Parody Announces Payday Loan Restitution (VIDEO)

September 24, 2012 - The San Francisco City Attorney’s office riffs on a pop song to get the word out about a loan scam settlement.

Digital Maps Assist Emergency Responders

September 21, 2012 - Map application works on mobile devices without a network connection, helping responders in areas of Frederick County, Va., without cellular service.

Cargo-Sniffing Robo-Fish Go Places Others Can't

September 21, 2012 - Modeled after the tuna fish, the DHS is looking to nature for its next anti-terrorism and anti-smuggling effort.

Web App Collects and Maps Storm Data

September 20, 2012 - Norfolk, Va., is using a Web-based system to modernize data collection of storm-related incidents and damages.

Public Safety Network Gets Real-World Test at RNC

September 18, 2012 - In a preview of what could come out of the planned nationwide public safety broadband network, police used iPhones over a private network while securing the 2012 Republican National Convention.

County Builds Legal Help Website for Low-Income Residents

September 18, 2012 - As a resource for low-income residents in Macoupin County, Ill., the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation initiated funding for a legal self-help website.

Mug Shot Lineups Leave the Polaroid Era

September 13, 2012 - A new Web application is automating mug shop lineups for detectives in Chesterfield County, Va.

County Government Learns to Catch Online Predators

September 11, 2012 - Law enforcement in Eddy County, N.M., monitors online activity to stop the distribution of child pornography.

Open Data, Hawaii-Style

September 10, 2012 - Multi-faceted support for open data results in apps for tsunami siren upkeep and Honolulu information.

Maryland’s Statewide Public Safety Radio Network Takes Shape

September 10, 2012 - The Maryland First Responders Interoperable Radio System Team (Maryland FiRST) is designed to solve interoperability problems.

The Promise of Big Data in Public Safety and Justice

September 10, 2012 - Making data easier to digest for more law enforcement users.

Fire Chief Pushes For Super-Powered Hose

September 10, 2012 - Taking a page from Europe's book, a fire chief in Florida is taking steps toward installing a fire hose that can blast through walls and concrete like a sandblaster.

Drunk Face Algorithm Developed by Researchers

September 6, 2012 - Police may one day make use of thermal imaging technology that identifies how drunk a person is simply by taking a picture.

Report: Alabama Starts Scanning Prison Visitor Fingerprints

September 6, 2012 - Alabama's new policy to scan prison visitor fingerprints to verify identification has drawn the ire of the ACLU.