Justice and Public Safety

Drones are quickly taking on more roles in law enforcement, disaster management and other tasks. Their latest role is arriving at emergency situations before humans do, collecting information for police.

Moving to Next-Gen 911 is more than just a technical challenge; it's a moral imperative as public safety agencies work to meet the needs of all Americans, including those with disabilities or language barriers, during emergencies.

WaveAerospace is building drones to fly in weather that others cannot, including heavy winds, precipitation or even icing conditions by redistributing waste heat produced by onboard systems.

The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program expires in September — but state CIOs told a congressional subcommittee Tuesday the program is a success that should be built on, not ended. Its future remains unclear.

Gov. Mike DeWine’s multibillion-dollar transportation budget, which he signed late Monday, will bar counties and townships from operating traffic camera programs. A 2015 law closely regulated their use for ticketing.

Some parents oppose legislation that would ban cellphones in Georgia public schools, arguing that the devices are essential for communicating with their kids in the event of a school shooting.

Distracted driving is so pervasive in the Minneapolis area that law enforcement is turning to artificial intelligence cameras to spot motorists who are illegally using their phones while behind the wheel.

Since 2019, the Traverse City Police Department has spent $28,000 to purchase tech tools to help officers identify unknown substances and intoxication levels, including one TruNarc device.

While artificial intelligence and SaaS may sometimes seem like buzzwords, they're necessities for court systems that want to continue to provide accessible and efficient judicial services.

Two bills propose cameras in areas with high numbers of accidents, and where construction is happening, to enforce speed limits. Current law prohibits using their use to gather evidence for a citation, in most instances.

Minnesota wants widespread roadside drug testing, but pilot data reveals key limitations and practicality concerns agencies must consider. Government Technology broke down the data within "spit" test discrepancies.

The Oceanside Police Department has been offered grant money for a 13-month trial of new first responder drones that can soar from a downtown rooftop within seconds of a 911 call.

Yuba City and Marysville would participate with Yuba and Sutter counties in joining an integrated public safety information system. The endeavor is contingent on the former county securing a $2.6 million federal grant.

After a series of failures with its current emergency alert platform, the county approved a $37,000 contract for CodeRED, which will streamline urgent alerts and provide more reliable service for residents.

The pilot with a tech company, underway until mid-April, adds artificial intelligence to several existing security cameras in the city. The software will have a human verify a weapon has been seen before notification.

Enrollment in state work release can rise above 350 during the year. It now stands at 166 people, 12 of whom work remote. Lawmakers are considering a monthly fee for the laptops provided.

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.