Public Safety: Page 5

  • Two men and two woman seated on a stage in front of a backdrop that reads "NLC - National League of Cities."
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    Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
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    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 • March 21, 2025
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    Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
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    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 • March 18, 2025
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    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 • March 7, 2025
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    Pilot program in Salem explores ways to mitigate rising flood risks and fill insurance gaps

    The public-private pilot program is designed to explore and evaluate measures that could lower flood risks for homeowners and renters and develop a base model that could be replicated in other communities. 

    By • March 3, 2025
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    Column

    Simulated wildfire evacuations could help save lives

    Evacuation simulation can accurately predict how long it will take to clear neighborhoods, informing emergency managers and law enforcement how much notice is needed for safe egress.

    By Bowen Kyle • Feb. 28, 2025
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    Maddie Meyer via Getty Images
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    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 • Feb. 25, 2025
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    Sponsored by

    Disaster Preparedness: The Three Ps for Organizational Resilience

    Leveraging Cooperative Purchasing for Emergency Response and Recovery

    By OMNIA Partners • Feb. 24, 2025
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    Local governments are acquiring more public safety technology, including transformative AI tools

    Data-driven tools are revolutionizing how law enforcement agencies detect, prevent and respond to criminal activity, enabling more proactive and efficient operations.

    By Michael Keating • Feb. 11, 2025
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    Adam Gray via Getty Images
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    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
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    Column

    Why public safety is turning toward AI and 5G

    In 2025 and beyond, it is expected that public safety professionals will prioritize both reliability and data-driven, real-time insights.

    By Maggie Hallbach • Jan. 8, 2025
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    In 2025, public safety technology will be a spending priority for cities and counties

    Priorities of cities and counties often define which public safety products and services are most in demand. Local government managers should aim to achieve quick wins as they acquire new public safety technology and services.

    By Michael Keating • Jan. 2, 2025
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    Why your municipality should take a vested interest in the background investigation process - and how tech can help

    The relationship between police chiefs and municipal leaders is a key partnership—one that is essential for effective law enforcement and community safety.

    By Kevin Zodrow • Dec. 24, 2024
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    Column

    When disaster strikes: How to minimize the fiscal impact of emergency construction

    As the scale and frequency of weather-related disasters continue to escalate, the financial burden on local governments is becoming increasingly severe.

    By Jo Medelman • Dec. 18, 2024
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    As wildfire threats grow, new funding is helping local governments convert trucks into wildland fire engines

    The Biden administration announced $20 million in available grants to purchase slip-on tanker units in areas with populations under 50,000.

    By • Dec. 6, 2024
  • A delivery van, door open, parked on a city street.
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    Daphne Howland/Smart Cities Dive
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    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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    South Coast AQMD

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    Column

    2022 Crown Communities Award winner: Real-time air quality monitoring app from Southern California air quality management district

    For its benefit to the local community, inclusivity and the district’s outside-the-box thinking, AQMD’s Mobile App is a recipient of this year’s American City and County Crown Community Award.

    By Andy Castillo • Nov. 26, 2024
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    Opinion

    Loosening 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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    Harnessing data for safer communities

    When ranking the most significant developments of the digital age, the evolution of data storage does not garner many glamour points. Yet few innovations have had such a profound impact on the ability to develop new technologies and perform tasks previously unimaginable. The ability to gather, store and analyze almost unlimited amounts of data has transformed almost every aspect of society, including law enforcement.

    By Taw North • Nov. 18, 2024
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    Permission granted by Oracle
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    Sponsored by Oracle

    Technologies 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
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    Column

    Are combination inspectors a good choice for municipalities?

    The inspection process can be streamlined by using multi-disciplined inspectors, allowing for a more efficient use of human resources, reducing the need for a large staff of specialized inspectors.

    By David Adcock • Nov. 13, 2024
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    Opinion

    Community trust is a firefighter’s greatest asset

    Firefighters are society’s first line of defense against natural disasters. When catastrophes like wildfires, floods or earthquakes ensue, these professionals aren’t just tasked with preventing the disaster from spreading; they’re also responsible for keeping community members safe from harm and maintaining order under high-stress situations.

    By Robbi King • Nov. 5, 2024
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    Opinion

    Is the public safety department model the future of municipal emergency service?

    The undeniable fiscal constraints associated with local governance has challenged contemporary public administrators to achieve more with less. Budgets are stretched thin, and local government managers face increasingly complex service delivery demands from an electorate that loathes the idea of paying higher taxes.

    By Dr. Randall Bauer • Oct. 30, 2024
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    FTA orders transit agencies to protect workers amid rising assaults

    “No American should go to work and worry they will not return home safely,” the Federal Transit Administration’s deputy administrator said. Agencies must respond by Dec. 26.

    By • Updated Nov. 12, 2024
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    Modernizing municipal IT infrastructure: A vital defense against cyber threats

    This summer, Flint, Mich., became the latest in a growing list of U.S. municipalities to fall victim to a ransomware attack. This incident, which took city services offline for weeks, is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities many local governments face in an increasingly hostile cyber landscape.

    By Andy Lin • Oct. 3, 2024
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    Advancements in police technology have fundamentally changed how departments operate

    Consider the technology that makes effective policing possible. Where would we be without the ability to conduct DNA testing—or even fingerprint suspects?

    By Dean Cunningham • Oct. 1, 2024