Public Safety
State fire agency taps augmented reality to train for ‘high-risk missions’
Augmented reality isn’t just for avid gamers. The technology is helping California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection prepare its flight crews for real-life emergencies like hoist rescues.
AI translation tools could improve trust in public safety efforts
Los Angeles County leveraged an AI tool to generate live translations during press conferences about wildfires and deliver critical safety information to residents more effectively.
Utah lawmaker wants police to disclose when they use artificial intelligence
A proposed bill would require law enforcement officers to disclose when and how they use the technology in police reports.
How emerging tech is shaping law enforcement
Sensors and analytics are helping under-resourced departments be more effective. But agencies must do their due diligence when adopting these new systems.
DHS personnel descend on New Orleans to help secure Super Bowl LIX
CISA has already conducted physical and cybersecurity vulnerability assessments ahead of the Feb. 9 NFL championship game.
How governments can get agencies to stop using foreign drones: Pay up.
A proposed bill in North Dakota offers an effective model for other states looking to cut ties with foreign-made drones.
In some Missouri counties, 911 doesn’t exist. Upgrades to emergency dispatching will change that
In some parts of the state, calls are rerouted to a 10-digit landline number. But federal funds mean that 911 call centers and dispatchers are in line for major upgrades.
AI could help mitigate lithium battery fires, study finds
Researchers have developed an algorithm that can detect when a lithium battery begins to overheat, which they say can help inform public safety efforts to mitigate fires.
Lessons from ‘stop and frisk’ can help police use drones without compromising civil liberties
The Philadelphia Police Department plans to expand its use of drones, including as first responders.
Slow approach to law enforcement AI could combat errors and bias, experts say
Several police agencies across the U.S. are tapping AI to help draft police reports, but a new white paper from the American Civil Liberties Union points to the risks of its rapid adoption.
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How a new database in New Mexico aims to de-escalate police encounters
The state’s Nontraditional Communication Registry helps inform police officers of conditions or disabilities that may impact someone’s ability to interact with law enforcement.
Government watchdogs, Black lawmakers urge Ohio's governor to veto police video changes
Among the dozens of measures sitting on Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk, is one proposal that would allow police departments to charge $75 per hour of body camera footage with a cap of $750.
What’s in store for public safety tech in 2025
In the coming year, artificial intelligence and other tech solutions will be key for understaffed law enforcement agencies looking to keep their communities safe.
Drone sighting epidemic spurs Dems in Congress to urge more transparency from feds
Unexplained drone sightings in New Jersey and New York have raised concerns across the Northeast. Some lawmakers are demanding more information from federal agencies.
Alabama senator refiles bill to make body cameras, dashboard footage public records
Alabama does not classify video and audio of police encounters as public records and provides limited access to those captured on tape.
How drones are helping one community recover from Hurricane Helene
In South Carolina, drones are playing a key role in disaster assessment for the city of Aiken to more efficiently and accurately apply for federal recovery funds.
App offers city’s youth a safe space to report concerns, challenges
Denver’s Power of One app allows young people in a section of the city to get help. It’s part of a wider push for reporting systems to get assistance to juveniles who need it.
Inside one state’s effort to digitize 911 to improve public safety
In Arizona, officials hope next generation 911 capabilities will help improve the state’s public safety response and supplement the work of understaffed dispatcher teams.
Lawmakers in one state are considering regulating police use of automated license plate readers
Virginia lawmakers are debating whether to regulate law enforcement departments’ use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR). They heard constituents’ perspectives on the technology and reviewed studies from the Virginia State Crime Commission.
Local fire department testing new wildfire risk reduction app
The wildfire mitigation app uses AI to recommend tips for making people's homes more fire resistant.
