Justice and Public Safety

The 2023-2024 draft budget for the city of Walla Walla covers a range of operational expenditures, but lacks funding for police body cameras. The City Council is likely to reconsider the issue before finalizing the budget.

The Radnor commissioners have approved a contract to install license plate readers at 11 intersections throughout the township. The system will cost around $280,000 over the next five years.

The all-electric motorcycle will be used as part of community outreach and community policing efforts. It will also be used for patrol activities, but will only be used in good weather and mostly during daylight hours.

The center, which launched a year ago, uses real-time technology and data-driven intelligence to prevent and solve crime, officials say. The state-of-the-art facility was modeled after centers in other cities.

The center would give participating agencies access to technology for rapid DNA testing, specialized firearms examination equipment, crime mapping software and programs for accessing criminal cellphone and computer data.

The funding round was led by NightDragon, whose founder is a seasoned cybersecurity executive. The fresh capital comes amid strong activity in the gov tech sector — and some signs of potential slowdowns.

School districts across North Texas are asking voters in November to approve bond packages to pay for surveillance cameras, weapon detection systems, modern door locks, shatter-resistant window film and other measures.

Midland Police Department is conducting an investigation along with other law enforcement agencies after a ransomware attack took place recently against the Midland Information Technology Consortium.

Kids are getting a better chance to bond with parents who are serving time behind bars thanks to virtual reality, a technology that continues to have an increased number of rapidly expanding uses.

Gresham officials are banking on mobile surveillance cameras as a key part of a comprehensive plan to fight gun violence. The city has embraced public cameras in a way that Portland and other big cities haven’t.

The new technology, which was developed in-house, consists of motion sensors and flashing lights and is meant to stop wrong-way drivers. This year alone, there have been two dozen deaths related to wrong-way driving.

At least 22 states are investing in updating and digitizing the maps and blueprints of public schools in an effort to speed up the response to critical emergencies.

The department began a phased rollout of the body and dash cameras for patrol vehicles in May, with the force completely outfitted well prior to a deadline imposed by the Connecticut Police Accountability Law.

The training consists of 10 virtual active shooting scenarios in environments like airports, schools and courthouses, meant to better prepare emergency crews for a variety of situations through a video game engine.

Two years after Lockport City School District's use of facial recognition-capable cameras triggered controversy, a recent hearing gave critics and proponents a chance to speak up while the state prepares a report.

Police officials have decided not to pursue approval to use lethal armaments on its robot. The department currently has a robot fitted with a percussion actuated nonelectric disrupter, which can fire lethal shotgun ammunition.

New laws in Florida and Texas set the stage for states to have more control over what’s posted on social media, but that could soon be tested at the U.S. Supreme Court and mean potential changes to the First Amendment.

The state is partnering with Rave Mobile Safety to customize an anonymous tip app for students, staff and parents to report safety concerns, replacing an old tip line that wasn’t being used.