Criminal Justice Technology in the News

Criminal Arrests Around City
Santa Maria Times, (08/30/2018), Gina Kim
The Santa Maria Police Department in California has a new camera surveillance registry program. People can register information about their private surveillance systems, including the location of their cameras, street address and how long the system can store a recording. Police could view the camera footage if a crime occurs nearby.
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Interactive Video System Provides Police High-Tech Training
Idaho State Journal, (08/30/2018), John O'Connell
The Pocatello Police Department has a new $60,000 simulator for training that includes about 800 interactive scenarios on encounters with the public.
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County Unveils 9-1-1 System That Will Allow Residents to Preset Key Details
Levittownnow.com, (08/30/2018), Kat Burke
Bucks County in Pennsylvania has a new 9-1-1 system that will allow people to voluntarily create an account containing information for a profile, such as medical information on allergies and other details that might help responders in the event of an emergency. The Bucks County Commissioners and the Bucks County Emergency Communications Department partnered with Smart911 for the system.
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Savannah Police Eye Adding Drones for Assistance
Savannah Morning News, (08/24/2018), Eric Curl
The Savannah Police Department plans to use small unmanned aerial systems, also known as drones, to assist in missing person searches, accident investigations and barricaded gunman situations. The city has issued a bid request for the purchase of three drones, each with specialized features. High-resolution cameras will provide a picture of an accident scene, and thermal imaging can be used to pick up the heat signatures of missing people. The drone for use during SWAT calls will be able to go through a building to help locate suspects and examine potential bombs.
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2 Dead in Multiple Shooting in Aurora; Injured Officer Released From the Hospital
Fox 31, (08/31/2018)
An Autora, Colo., police officer is recovering from injuries sustained in an incident in which two individuals were killed by a suspect, who then engaged in an exchange of gunfire with the responding officer. The officer suffered only blunt trauma injuries thanks to his ballistic-resistant vest's stopping the bullets. He was treated and released while the suspect and a third shooting victim were hospitalized.
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Grant Helps Livonia Officers Boost Emergency First Aid Readiness
Hometown Life, (09/04/2018), Matt Jachman
The police department in Livonia, Mich., used a $9,000 grant to purchase 150 Combat Application Tourniquets that officers carry while on duty. The tourniquets are designed to be applied with one hand if necessary to stanch bleeding from traumatic wounds to the extremities. Officers can use the tourniquets on themselves or on a wounded partner, as well as on injured civilians.
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Corrections News

Fentanyl Exposure at Ohio Prison Lands 27 Workers in the Hospital
The Daily Caller, (08/30/2018) Steve Birr
Staff members at an Ohio prison were hospitalized August 29 after being exposed to a mixture of heroin and the synthetic opioid fentanyl. Officials with the Ohio State Highway Patrol confirmed the presence of fentanyl in drugs found at Ross Correctional Institution in Chillicothe. Nurses and corrections officers were treated after responding to the cell of an inmate who began to exhibit signs of an opioid overdose.
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Body Scanners at Montgomery County Jail Helping Keep Contraband Out
WKEF/WRTG, (08/29/2018), Bryn Caswell
Since March 2018, the body scanners at the Montgomery County Jail in Dayton, Ohio, have helped keep 83 contraband items out of the jail, according to jail officials. The scanners are designed to look for contraband while inmates are being booked.
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S.C. DOC Testing New Cell Phone Blocking Technology at Lee Correctional Institution
WCIV, (08/30/3018), Anne Emerson
South Carolina prison officials are testing technology that aims to block cell signals from reaching contraband cell phones in prisons. The test is being conducted at the Lee Correctional Institution. Corrections officials are assessing the new technology with scientists and wireless industry representatives.
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Thanks to Technology, More Inmates Are Receiving GEDs at Metro Corrections
WLKY, (08/30/2018), Lauren Adams
The use of iPads is helping inmates to obtain General Education Development diplomas while incarcerated in Metro Corrections facilities in Louisville, Ky. The pilot program to allow use of the technology began at the beginning of this year. Currently, 23 inmates are using iPads to complete GED coursework.
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Indiana is Preparing Prisoners With Skills Needed to Acquire High-Demand Jobs on Release
Northwest Indiana Times, (09/02/2018), Dan Carden
Indiana is providing academic and vocational skills training to inmates to prepare them for release into communities and to help businesses fill vacant positions. Training includes classes in welding, computer coding, carpentry, culinary arts, cosmetology, building trades, horticulture and automotive technology.
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California Becomes First State to End Cash Bail After 40-Year Fight
NPR, (08/28/2018), Vanessa Romo
California will become the first state in the nation to abolish bail for suspects awaiting trial under a sweeping reform bill signed by Gov. Jerry Brown. Under the new law that goes into effect in October 2019, people arrested and charged with a crime won't be putting up money to obtain release. Instead, local courts will decide who to keep in custody and whom to release while they await trial. Those decisions will be based on an algorithm created by the courts.
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