Justice and Public Safety

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county, plans to approve a CentralSquare computer-aided dispatch platform to be implemented in September, replacing an outdated system.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.

Utilizing artificial intelligence in policing programs contributed to a decrease in homicides in 2024 compared to previous years in Macon-Bibb County, according to local officials.

The state Department of Motor Vehicles announced availability of the digital driver’s license, learner permit or ID in June 2024. It is accepted at a growing number of businesses and airports in New York and nationally.

The public safety technology firm has partnered with home security company Arlo to provide more video data to first responders. The service could speed up responses and reduce false alarms.

A House bill would create a database to track information on the progress of certain individuals with felony convictions. Its aim would be to help those eligible determine whether their voting rights could be restored.

The court, which first acknowledged the incident Sunday night, has been shuttered four days this week by the online incident. Its internal systems, software and website have been taken offline.

Despite concerns of some members, the Niagara Falls City Council voted unanimously to approve a request by police to purchase and install two dozen pole-mounted cameras capable of reading license plates.

A tip to the Sandy Hook Promise Say Something Anonymous Reporting System prevented a mass shooting this month at Mooresville High School in Indiana. The system allows students to submit tips via app, website or hotline.

Eric Hayden, the city’s CIO and CTO, is helping oversee a refresh of emergency and fire response via artificial intelligence, which helps guide efforts and increase capabilities in the state’s third most populous city.

As part of its proposed 2025-2026 fiscal year budget, Maggie Valley Police Department is seeking funding for the two cameras. Their installation would connect the department to data from a national camera network.

As some public safety agencies are experiencing more flexibility and speed in getting waivers from the Federal Aviation Administration for advanced drone programs, experts predict the use of UAS to rapidly rise.