Local Government

Central, La., is now allowing its police department to use nine license plate readers as a way to apprehend car thieves and other criminals. However, privacy experts say the technology invites corruption.

While infrastructure challenges and digital literacy gaps still impede digital equity efforts in many rural parts of America, public and private entities are increasingly looking to new partnerships to bridge the divide.

After years of struggling to find ways to diversify the workforce, the Pittsburgh Technology Council is following the model used by skilled trades union to pay women and minorities while they learn high-tech skills.

Batalla, who brings more than 20 years’ experience in the public and private sectors, will serve as the new CIO for the city of Oakland. He will oversee a nearly $40 million IT budget and a staff of 85.

For almost four years, the small town of Maxton, N.C., has tried to get funding for a surveillance system that uses facial recognition. Officials want to continue working with a software company to secure funding.

Bolstering the city's bid to become a hub for geospatial technology, civic leaders have announced the creation of a new research center that will help build an industry that officials see as key to their economic future.

The tool, called Waste Wise, is an online database that allows residents to search items and quickly determine how and where to donate, recycle or dispose of them. It can be accessed on the county's website.

It’s a formal investigation into the City Hall employees involved in the controversial technology contract, as one city IT staffer defended ties he had with a winning bidder through an outside company he cofounded.

With a winning vote of 11-9 by city aldermen, Madison, Wis., will soon launch a one-year police body camera pilot. Although the pilot has a number of critics, the police department supports the idea.

Tacoma, Wash., Police Chief Avery Moore presented his crime reduction plan to the city council yesterday. The plan will lean on data to identify where crimes are being committed the most.

After almost a year and a half of allowing electric scooters on its streets, Seattle has seen the number of scooter trips dwarf the number of bike trips. Some city council members still have safety concerns, however.

Soon, police in Pittsburg, Calif., will have to receive city council approval for the purchase, acquisition and use of military equipment, which includes items such as armored vehicles and chemical munitions.

Maine's county and city governments received a total of $191 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding, but the majority of the money hasn't been spent. Officials say they're deliberately sitting on the money.

According to a report that examines the digital divide in St. Louis, between 250,000 and 300,000 households lack access to broadband. Low-income areas in the city face the most digital equity challenges.

The Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center in Windber, Pa., is in the process of developing a new telehealth program that aims to provide a higher quality of care. The program will help keep needed hospital beds open.

Following the February departure of Miami CIO Mike Sarasti, the city has appointed Deputy CIO Otto Contreras to serve in his place. The city has mounted a search for a permanent replacement.

Following interviews with 27 people who work directly in the country’s courts systems, a study by Next Century Cities has found that digitizing the courts may exclude residents on the wrong side of the digital divide.

The state’s Department of Information Resources will operate the new center in partnership with Angelo State University in San Angelo. The initiative will serve a range of local government and utility entities.