Law Enforcement

Why fentanyl trafficking enforcement may fall short

Several states this year passed laws targeting drug traffickers through increased penalties. But one expert says efforts to curb the fentanyl supply could open the doors for newer, more dangerous substances to arise.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Predictive policing software terrible at predicting crimes

A software company sold a New Jersey police department an algorithm that was right less than 1% of the time.

  • By Aaron Sankin and Surya Mattu, The Markup

Traffic tickets can be profitable, and fairness isn’t the bottom line in city courts where judges impose the fines

COMMENTARY | Research shows police officers issue more traffic tickets and judges impose more fines when their city gets the money and when the budget is tight. But if states change the rules about who keeps the money, the incentives for revenue maximization go away.

  • By Sian Mughan and Akheil Singla, The Conversation

Cities are embracing teen curfews, though they might not curb crime

Experts worry that curfews disproportionately target young people of color.

  • By Amanda Hernández, Stateline

What the police raid of a Kansas newspaper says about government and the press

The raid sparked coast-to-coast outrage, but it also raised concerns about the eroding relationship between government officials and the reporters who cover them. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.

  • By Daniel C. Vock

After George Floyd’s murder, more states require release of police disciplinary records

Lawmakers and advocates say open data on police disciplinary records would boost transparency, accountability and the ability to identify patterns of misconduct in law enforcement agencies.

  • By Amanda Hernández, Stateline

Why Dayton quit ShotSpotter, a surveillance tool many cities still embrace

Police across the country face increased pressure to drop the controversial technology as researchers and activists question its effectiveness.

  • By Stephen Starr, Bolts Magazine

Cities have ways to curb gun violence; feds are giving them more money

Lawmakers have recognized community violence intervention programs save lives and taxpayer dollars.

  • By Matt Vasilogambros, Stateline

Drones enlisted for real-time monitoring of public events

As Illinois residents enjoy outdoor summer events, a new law allows public safety agencies to use drones to protect the public from potential threats.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Cities urged to fight antisemitism

In a plan released last month, the Biden administration is calling for all hands on deck in countering antisemitism and has laid out steps that states and cities can take to stop discrimination in their communities.

  • By Kery Murakami

Public safety relies on behind-the-scenes technology

COMMENTARY | Reliable emergency response, citation management and crime analysis technologies give responders the data they need quickly and accurately.

  • By Skip Bland

How one city worked to prevent overdoses after large-scale drug trafficking bust 

Manchester, New Hampshire, learned that there are consequences to seizures and arrests: a risk of overdose may rise for dependent users.

  • By Hadley Barndollar, New Hampshire Bulletin
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Studies show a need for procedural justice in ‘hot spot’ policing

Research supports a style of high-crime policing emphasizing transparency and fairness. Will police follow the evidence?

  • By Rod McCullom, Undark

States Need Better Tech, Training to Keep Repeat Drunk Drivers off the Roads

Lacking adequate resources, states are often unable to provide complete criminal histories to the FBI’s databases, which are critical resources for reducing impaired driving by repeat offenders, according to a new GAO report.

  • By Susan Miller

Staffing Challenges Spur Another Look at Four-Day Workweeks

School districts think shorter weeks could attract more teachers, while one Colorado city hopes they can help address chronic staffing shortages at its police department.

  • By Elizabeth Daigneau

The 6 Fundamentals of an Effective Real-Time Crime Center

COMMENTARY | These centers, which can help police investigators develop leads and share crucial information with other officers and agencies, are becoming more common. Here's how to make them more effective.

  • By Johnmichael O’Hare

Prisons ‘under attack’ from drones delivering contraband

Experts said the issue has exploded in recent years but could be fixed if states get the authority to jam cellphone signals.

  • By Chris Teale

Lawmakers advocate more funds for state fusion centers

Better information sharing across regions and state lines could help counter growing cyberthreats and help law enforcement collaborate, House members said.

  • By Chris Teale

6G Promises Immersive Communications for Public Safety

The next-generation cellular network is poised to massively upgrade situational awareness for public safety agencies, experts say.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Bail Reform Faces Backlash

New York rolled back key parts of its 2019 bail reform law amid fears of rising crime. Those concerns are echoed in communities nationwide—especially in places forging ahead with their own laws—despite data that shows bail reforms don't negatively impact public safety. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.

  • By Elizabeth Daigneau

How One State Is Confronting PTSD Among Police Officers

Concerns abound about post-traumatic stress disorder in law enforcement. Minnesota, where the problem is acute, has ideas about how to curb the costs and keep more police working in the field.

  • By Katherine Barrett & Richard Greene