Public Safety
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3 Supreme Court cases local leaders shouldn’t ignore
Decisions on property seizures, warrantless entry and concealed-carry rules could force policy and procedural changes, experts say.
By Vicky Uhland • Dec. 9, 2025 -
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Drug use on public transit erodes safety and traumatizes staff. A 7-step plan can help cities respond.
A five-city assessment of transit drug use calls for an integrated response that includes naloxone policies, station redesign, better partnerships, stronger outreach models and unified communications.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Dec. 9, 2025 -
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Minneapolis draws a line on federal immigration tactics
The city is refusing to support federal staging operations and has directed local law enforcement officers to intervene if residents’ rights are violated as ICE agents move into the region.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Dec. 5, 2025 -
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OpinionThe Eaton Fire showed us California’s future. Our recovery systems aren’t ready.
Ten months after the fire, many Altadena families remain displaced because permitting, remediation and housing policies are not designed for urban fire disasters. Here’s a road map to address these failures.
By Farid Yaghoubtil • Nov. 21, 2025 -
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Investing in next-generation emergency response: 2024 Crown Communities Award
Livingston County, N.Y., turned federal pandemic funds into a regional emergency training asset by building a state-of-the-art fire training tower.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Nov. 17, 2025 -
(2025). "LIVE: Last Mile Report" [Video]. Retrieved from Comptroller Brad Lander/YouTube.
Package delivery has taken a toll on New York City, comptroller says. He’s urging action in response.
Increased traffic collisions, workplace injuries and air pollution are tied to last-mile delivery operations, the comptroller’s report says.
By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 17, 2025 -
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Sponsored by ImprivataHow public safety and justice agencies can simplify CJIS compliance without slowing operations
For many public safety and justice agencies, Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance has become a daily balancing act. Learn how agencies can make compliance requirements work in the real world, from a CJIS expert.
Nov. 17, 2025 -
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ICE can access most state driver databases. States have the power to stop it, these federal lawmakers say.
Federal agents can access driver’s license photos and records through a little-understood interstate network, the elected officials said in a letter to governors. Five states have restricted access.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Nov. 14, 2025 -
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Cities sue over DOJ’s bid to tie policing grants to immigration, DEI policies
Chicago and St. Paul, Minnesota, claim new conditions on COPS funds violate the 10th Amendment and unlawfully undermine local control. In Chicago, $6.25 million is at stake.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Nov. 13, 2025 -
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Sponsored by National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO)Is your agency ready? Battling cybercrime and how NASPO can help
Cyber threats are evolving. NASPO ValuePoint offers solutions for government agencies.
By Kate Davila, Creative Accounts Director, National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) • Nov. 10, 2025 -
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AI tools for law enforcement are proliferating. Now cities and states are setting guardrails for their use.
From automated reporting to AI-powered 911 systems, AI is reshaping law enforcement faster than regulations can keep up. New state laws in California and Utah aim to set the first limits.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Nov. 7, 2025 -
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States sue FEMA over new grant rules
A 12-state coalition claims recent changes unlawfully tie funding to population data they can’t access and shorten timelines so drastically that cities can’t use the money.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Nov. 6, 2025 -
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Federal judge permanently bars National Guard troops in Portland
The U.S. District Court judge sided with Portland and Oregon officials who argued the attempted deployment violated states’ rights under the 10th Amendment and violated federal law.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated Nov. 10, 2025 -
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Newsom moves to reclaim control of California National Guard
State officials filed a district court motion arguing the Trump administration’s continued federalization of state troops has outlived its purpose and diverts resources from firefighting, drug enforcement and food relief.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Nov. 3, 2025 -
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St. Paul, Minnesota, fell victim to a cyberattack in July. It’s still recovering.
The city worked with the FBI and Minnesota National Guard in the wake of an incident that revealed the increasing severity of cyberattacks on cities.
By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 30, 2025 -
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Sponsored by Schneider ElectricStrengthening communities through smarter asset management
As infrastructure risks grow, smarter capital planning must become a strategic imperative.
Oct. 27, 2025 -
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National Guard in cities: What leaders need to know as legal battles intensify
As court rulings shift “hour by hour,” experts say city officials must build a united front with law enforcement, businesses and communities — before troops arrive.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 24, 2025 -
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Political ViolencePolice chiefs say the nation’s rhetoric has become dangerous. They’re calling for a reset before more violence erupts.
Pressing law enforcement to “be the adults in the room,” police chiefs at the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference outlined steps cities can take to restore civility and safety.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 22, 2025 -
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Ninth Circuit agrees to rehear Oregon’s challenge to troop deployment in Portland
The federal court reasserted temporary limits on Trump’s power to send National Guard troops into the city. Meanwhile, a trial testing DHS claims that local law enforcement can’t contain protests is underway.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated Oct. 30, 2025 -
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Judge keeps Illinois troop deployment on hold pending Supreme Court action
Meanwhile, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is creating an accountability commission to monitor federal immigration agents' conduct.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated Oct. 23, 2025 -
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Appeals court allows Trump to federalize but not deploy National Guard in Portland as troops move into Chicago
Federal courts will hear arguments today in two cases about whether the Trump administration can override governors and send National Guard troops into the two U.S. cities.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated Oct. 9, 2025 -
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Judge rebukes DHS for defying order on FEMA grant conditions
A federal judge said the Department of Homeland Security ignored a directive to remove immigration enforcement conditions from FEMA funding agreements in a “ham-handed attempt to bully” states.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated Oct. 15, 2025 -
Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
Top smart city conferences in 2026
Technology, housing, climate action, transportation, public safety and more take center stage at events for local government leaders in 2026.
By Smart Cities Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2025 -
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Illinois officials condemn federal troop request for Chicago
Gov. JB Pritzker says DHS has requested 100 military personnel be sent to Chicago and calls the action an “unconstitutional occupation.”
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 30, 2025 -
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5 steps to disaster-proof your city as FEMA pulls back
FEMA is stretched thin, a GAO report warns. Its author offers advice for local leaders to respond strategically and build resilience now.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 30, 2025
