Public Safety
More body-cam footage is not the end goal. More usable, accountable footage should be
COMMENTARY | Programs should not be judged on how many officers wear them or how many hours of footage they obtain. What agencies do with that footage must also be considered.
Southaven Police Department took millions from Musk-backed companies. It wanted drones and Flock cameras.
City officials in Mississippi were negotiating details related to a massive data center proposed by Space XAI when they were invited to apply for grants to support police operations
License plate readers offer a lesson for police AI: Verify before acting
COMMENTARY | Compliance, training and verification should be the floor, not the finish line, as law enforcement seeks to use new technologies.
Texas city charges $2 million for Flock records as agencies make it harder to see how cameras are used
High invoices and challenges to accessing data on how departments use the surveillance cameras have hindered requests by privacy advocates and journalists.
Milwaukee County Board committee advances resolution to remove Flock from parks
The Milwaukee County Board will soon vote on whether to remove Flock cameras from county parks as the sheriff's office pushes back.
Flock camera systems receive bipartisan scrutiny from senators
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., criticized makers of automatic license plate readers for relying on agency customers to self-police the systems for instances of wrongdoing.
As police increasingly embrace AI, some wait for regulations and proof it works
New Jersey has no statewide guardrails on police use of artificial intelligence, but that hasn't stopped cops from using it.
How 9/11 changed the way America surveils its citizens
Twenty-five years later, the surveillance state has become a part of everyday policing. AI is taking it a step further.
Flock cameras divide Tennessee governments, residents over privacy as some end their contracts
In East Tennessee, several counties swear by the license plating-reading technology, while others vote to end contracts.
Flock blockers: 5 proposals seeking to regulate Flock cameras and ALPRs in Pennsylvania
Lawmakers in the General Assembly plan to introduce a number of bills looking to regulate automated license plate reader technology in Pennsylvania.
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How the World Cup became a ‘forcing function’ for drone security
While some acknowledged the rollout was a little “chaotic” at times, experts said it has helped states and cities think a lot more about how they manage their skies.
Missouri launches statewide app to help officials, residents prepare for flooding
The Missouri Hydrology Information Center has designed a mobile app and website aimed at making complex flood and drought data easier for the public and government users to navigate.
Flock Safety tightens safeguards as states, cities question surveillance network
More than 50 communities have canceled contracts or deactivated cameras this year.
All eyes on Flock as Idaho navigates surveillance technology across the state
The technology faces nationwide controversy because of concerns around data privacy, shaky oversight and the potential for warrantless searches.
Why large events require smarter, long-term security investments
COMMENTARY | The just-concluded World Cup and upcoming Olympics highlight the need to plan beyond the stadium or venue and support public safety years after fans go home.
Inside the World Cup security operation
A massive effort years in the planning at the federal, state and local level helped keep the tournament safe, even as it faced enormous threats of many kinds that all needed mitigating.
Police use of artificial intelligence grows as rules lag behind
Experts warn that AI-powered policing could expand surveillance and amplify bias.
The evidence is on camera. Keeping it there requires an identity resilience strategy
COMMENTARY | Footage captured by CCTV and other devices is only as trustworthy as the identity infrastructure controlling it.
Privacy, efficacy concerns continue as Detroit police seek more than $2M extension to ShotSpotter
Police officials have argued that the technology has contributed to decreasing gun crimes in the city since it was established in Detroit, emphasizing its use as an important investigative tool.
Georgia fire department launches drone program to enhance public safety response
A public safety agency in the state recently enlisted a drone to expedite first responders’ reaction and preparation for emergency calls.
