Justice and Public Safety

The city’s Real-Time Crime Center, a specialized unit of its police department, integrates tech including feeds from drones, body-worn camera footage and law enforcement data to increase investigative efficiency.

When different people working in the criminal justice system — from investigators to probation officers — can’t share data effectively or securely, there may be an ethical and financial price to pay.

The California Prison Industry Authority has wrapped part one of an enterprise resource management refresh. The new system lets incarcerated workers use software they might find upon re-entering the job market.

The department deployed multiple drones earlier this month to monitor crowds at an outdoor music concert. It was the devices’ first appearance since a city policy governing their use was finalized.

City police could soon deploy the cameras, but City Council members aired considerable concerns about the devices. Privacy and ethical usage were among the issues they raised, along with how data would be shared.

A lawsuit involving several local governments, boards of education and other public entities alleges that social media companies knowingly caused harm to children and necessitated costly responses.

Through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), the FBI will use university-led research and development to address weaknesses in the electric grid, water utilities and other systems and infrastructure.

The city’s Common Council approved the purchase of six cameras; fundraising will cover the cost of the one-year pilot. Five cameras will be fixed; the sixth will be used at different locations including special events.

D.C.'s new Real-Time Crime Center is the front line in a quiet battle over who controls the police department's surveillance data. While the federal government and city fight for authority, whose surveillance rules apply?

A human-sized patrol robot named Parker, meant to record and deter crime in Montgomery County parking garages, was sidelined late last month over privacy and transparency concerns.

United Independent School District is aligning school leaders with law enforcement, community groups and local nonprofits to teach students and parents about topics like cyber bullying and responsible screen time.

In the absence of federal regulations, some legislators at the state level are pushing to protect child influencers with bills requiring their parents to set aside their earnings for a future date, and more.

A new official policy on drone usage for city government purposes spells out how they can be deployed, including for aerial surveillance, and how they should not be used. The City Council approved it Aug. 7.

A new report from the City Controller’s Office has found that while ShotSpotter tech has helped Pittsburgh police officers get to scenes faster, it has not lowered crime within the city.

With possible state changes ahead on electric bicycle rules, the city’s mayor and a City Council member will meet with a state assemblyman on the topic. Lawmakers are at work on measures regulating the devices.

The three primary areas served by the units were the townships of Holland, Park and Georgetown. Holland and Park townships last year developed alternative services.

Days after a federal judge blasted San Diego County jails for erasing audio and video footage, advocates and the loved ones of people who have died in the facilities are pushing for changes.

The new system will add GIS mapping, text and video capability, and faster routing to help call centers respond more quickly and precisely. The county is the first in the state to begin the migration.