Justice and Public Safety

Safety concerns from families and staff prompted Harford County Public Schools to buy 11 Opengate weapons detection systems, but the district intends to use them primarily for events, not daily screening.

The City Council signed off recently on spending $240,000 for 32 automatic license plate reader cameras, and three surveillance cameras. Two members did, however, express concerns about privacy and surveillance.

The project is nearing completion, with training on the new court management system slated to begin this spring. Paid for entirely by federal funds, it will eventually allow for electronic filing of court documents.

As dozens of other states have moved their own court records online, Maine still largely remains in the world of paper files, even though the state has spent more than $17 million trying to catch up.

The Cedar Rapids Police Department recently finished installing stationary license plate reader cameras, which scan plates and run them through national crime databases.

The town's first responders believe a single location to house fire, police, EMS and dispatch would allow for better coordination of services and be "a commitment to the people of Westport."

The FBI has alerted smartphone users nationwide to delete fake texts pretending to be from toll road services, delivery companies, or government agencies, saying the smishing scam is moving state to state.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed a budget including $5.7 million for upgrades and House Bill 423 would help transition to Next-Generation 911 standards after the state's outdated 911 systems have struggled to handle call volume.

The FBI has issued a warning about a new text-based smishing scam in which recipients receive messages saying that they owe fake charges for using highways.

Commissioners have approved a new system that will ensure staff at the county jail check inmates the preferred four times per day. Actions such as administering medication and other daily needs will each require a scan.

A proposed law would require the state Department of Correction to produce a report on what it would take to institute non-invasive body scanners in order to limit the use of strip searches.

Stanislaus Regional 911, a partnership between Modesto and the county, plans to approve a CentralSquare computer-aided dispatch platform to be implemented in September, replacing an outdated system.

A cyber attack that prompted Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to send in the National Guard to aid an investigation has shuttered the court since Feb. 23. It will reopen Wednesday but its website remains offline.

Law enforcement officials in Chippewa County, Wisc., are preparing to undergo new training Thursday that aims to advance their skills in crisis interventions, response and de-escalation.

Huntsville City Schools are installing weapons detection systems from Opengate at its elementary campuses. The district put Evolv weapon detectors at high schools in 2023, and Opengate systems at middle schools in 2024.

Leaders in Macon-Bibb County, Ga., are reporting a decrease in homicides in 2024, after using artificial intelligence in policing programs and youth outreach. The crimes declined by 2.5 percent from 2023.

Police officials say modern tech like license plate readers placed throughout their cities has been instrumental in aiding patrol officers in locating stolen vehicles, wanted suspects and missing people.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has authorized the National Guard’s Cyber Reserve Force to help investigate a cyber attack on Cleveland Municipal Court. The court, its internal systems and website remain shuttered.