Public Safety
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CenterPoint completes critical Houston grid upgrades ahead of hurricane season
The utility has bolstered its power grid and communications systems since Hurricane Beryl left almost 2.3 million Houston-areas customers without power last summer.
By Robert Walton • May 27, 2025 -
Mario Tama via Getty Images
DOJ dismisses lawsuits against Minneapolis and Louisville, Kentucky, police departments
Mayors in these cities, where high-profile police killings occurred, vow to continue reforms.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 22, 2025 -
Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
Supreme Court narrows police immunity in use-of-force cases
In rejecting the “moment of threat” defense, the court opens the door to greater officer accountability — though how the ruling will shape policing on the ground is still uncertain.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 19, 2025 -
Tierney L. Cross via Getty Images
EPA rolls back part of PFAS drinking water standards
The agency will continue regulating PFOA and PFOS in drinking water, but will extend compliance timelines. It has rescinded rules for four other PFAS chemicals.
By Megan Quinn • May 15, 2025 -
Leigh Vogel via Getty Images
Mayors flag Medicaid cuts as a public safety issue
The U.S. Conference of Mayors warns Congress that benefit cuts can increase mental health crises and substance abuse, diverting police from violent crime.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 13, 2025 -
carlofranco via Getty Images
They’re not streets. They’re not roads. ‘Stroads’ present challenges for cities.
Designed to accommodate both local access and high-speed traffic, stroads require extra safety precautions.
By Karen Kroll • May 13, 2025 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Mayors call arrest of Newark, N.J., mayor ‘deeply troubling’
Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka’s arrest during his attempt to inspect a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility raised concerns about federal overreach.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 12, 2025 -
Ralf Geithe via Getty Images
Report ranks states’ efforts to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
UL Standards & Engagement officials recommend cities and states mandate indoor carbon monoxide alarms, conduct public awareness campaigns and train first responders.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 8, 2025 -
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Lawsuit challenges NYPD “gang database”
Plaintiffs claim Blacks and Latinos who have tattoos and wear gang-affiliated colors are being added to the database, which NYPD says is a crucial tool in stopping gang-related shootings.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 6, 2025 -
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Trump budget proposal slashes climate funding
Renewable energy, environmental justice and Superfund cleanup are among programs that would be eliminated.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated May 5, 2025 -
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
3 cities join lawsuit challenging mass layoffs of federal workers
Unions, nonprofits and local governments allege the staff reductions threaten vital services and public safety.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 2, 2025 -
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Trump directs Justice Department, military to support local law enforcement
The National Police Association applauds the order as providing needed support, while civil liberties groups warn of federal overreach and the danger of escalating tensions.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 1, 2025 -
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Cities lose “critical guidance” from climate report: former NOAA official
The National Climate Assessment provides region-specific projections for infrastructure planning, budgeting and emergency preparedness.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • April 30, 2025 -
Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
Mayors push back against Trump’s new ‘sanctuary cities’ order
Forcing local police departments to enforce immigration policy will make cities less safe, they say.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • April 29, 2025 -
Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
Justice Department cancels hundreds of public safety grants
The move will impede progress that’s been made on deterring crime, the U.S. Conference of Mayors says, calling for the grants’ reinstatement.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • April 24, 2025 -
David Dee Delgado via Getty Images
Nearly half of US residents breathe unhealthy air: report
American Lung Association officials call for city leaders to speak up for federal support of air quality research amid record pollution levels.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • April 23, 2025 -
David McNew via Getty Images
ICE agents denied entry into LAUSD elementary schools
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security maintains the incidents, which rattled the education community, were "wellness checks on children who arrived unaccompanied at the border."
By Naaz Modan • April 16, 2025 -
Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
Nearly 3,000 city leaders gathered in Washington last week. Here’s what they had to say.
Mayors, council members and nonprofit leaders heard from Vice President JD Vance, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and others at the National League of Cities meeting.
By Dan Zukowski • March 21, 2025 -
Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
City leaders name housing, public safety and infrastructure as top issues
The National League of Cities Congressional City Conference brought together 3,000 city leaders to discuss these issues, with appearances from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Vice President JD Vance.
By Dan Zukowski • March 18, 2025 -
Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
US DOT asks DC transportation authorities to focus on cutting crime
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy directed Amtrak, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the District Department of Transportation to report and take action to improve safety.
By Dan Zukowski • March 7, 2025 -
Maddie Meyer via Getty Images
FTA postpones enforcement of state safety oversight rule for rail transit
Though the rule was effective Jan. 1, the Federal Transit Administration is postponing enforcement to March 20 in line with a Jan. 20 executive order.
By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 25, 2025 -
Adam Gray via Getty Images
Starbucks reverses open-door policy as it pursues coffeehouse environment
Under the new policy, customers will have to make a purchase if they want to hang out in Starbucks coffee shops or use its bathrooms.
By Kristen Doerer • Jan. 15, 2025 -
Daphne Howland/Smart Cities Dive
Washington, DC, sues Amazon over slow Prime deliveries in underserved areas
Prime members in two zip codes aren’t receiving promised benefits, D.C.’s attorney general alleges. The e-commerce giant defended its actions by citing concerns over driver safety.
By Daphne Howland • Dec. 5, 2024 -
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OpinionLoosening alcohol laws to revitalize your city’s economy is a mistake
Cities must keep our public spaces alcohol-free to preserve health and safety, warns a policy consultant at the Institute for Public Strategies, a public health organization.
By Daniel Skiles • Nov. 22, 2024 -
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Sponsored by OracleTechnologies transforming public safety
Learn how modern public safety technology solutions are helping police and law enforcement serve, protect, and engage communities.
By Shane Ruiz • Nov. 18, 2024
