Local Government

Two years after the launch of Houston’s ShotSpotter program, critics say the benefits are outweighed by the $3.5 million price tag. To date, 99 arrests have been made as a result and 107 guns have been seized.

Making effective open source election software is one thing. Removing barriers to its use is another and means addressing concerns around liability, troubleshooting and certification.

National mapping efforts that compile environmental data offer a resource that can be used by government agencies of different levels to help them make data-informed planning and response decisions.

The department is reviewing how officers store data and records after identifying 52,000 improperly stored digital records. This could mean some evidence wasn’t provided to lawyers as required by state law.

Users who have a case in any of the six participating counties in the state can sign up for a free service that sends text message reminders in advance of court hearings and fine payment due dates.

Maricopa County, Ariz., CIO Ed Winfield is set to retire in early March, leaving CISO Lester Godsey to take over in a temporary capacity. The selection of a permanent replacement hinges on the county finding its next manager.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed a bill to create a “digital bill of rights” aimed at curbing big tech “overreach and surveillance.” Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez announced millions in cybersecurity grants for local governments.

The technological improvements the department has made include adding a gunshot detection system that alerts dispatchers when shots are fired and adding more surveillance cameras to high-crime areas.

A $2.28 million federal grant will allow the city to upgrade its 911 emergency dispatch center and implement new technology that will allow dispatchers to do their jobs more efficiently, officials say.

Proponents say open source elections tech means new security features and transparency. What does it take to harness the helpful volunteer contributions, block out malicious saboteurs and keep these projects maintained for the long term?

A detective with the Boulder County Sheriff's Office Digital Forensics Lab was able to trace the funds lost in a spear phishing attack to a U.S. bank account and freeze it late last year. The funds have since been recovered.

Several balloons — two of which were shot down over North America — have certainly strained international relations, but you might not have guessed that there are a host of non-spy-related uses for the old-school tech.

The city of El Paso, Texas, has partnered with the private sector to create the Economic Snapshot Dashboard, a data visualization that will paint a picture of the city’s economy as it grows and adapts.

New software is allowing officers to listen to 911 calls and saving precious time when responding to emergencies or crime. The technology removes the delays associated with passing information from dispatchers to officers.

Seventy one percent of households in the county have access to broadband Internet service. Officials want that number to be even higher, despite the substantial costs associated with the buildout.

The Cowlitz County Auditor's Office is currently building an online database for records stretching from the 1850s to present day. Auditor Carolyn Fundingsland hopes to have the project complete by the end of 2024.

According to the city, 911, fire, emergency resources and financial data remain unscathed, but Oakland has been forced to take other systems offline. It’s now working with law enforcement to investigate the issue.

The city of Philadelphia has launched an interactive dashboard to make the city’s campaign finance data available and accessible to members of the public, the media, researchers and candidates.