Criminal Justice Technology in the News

Law Enforcement News

'Because They Care': Police Look to Nurturing Follow-up Home Visits to Help Opioid Addicts
Lebanon Daily News, (04/04/2019), Daniel Walmer
Police in Berks County, Pa., recently began implementing the Blue CARES (Cops Assisting Recovery Engagement and Support) program, wherein officers follow up with individuals who they have assisted during an overdose incident and help them find the recovery resources they need. The program started in January and officers contacted 19 individuals in the first three months of the year.
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The Man Keeping Columbine Safe
Washington Post, (04/05/2019), Jessica Contrera
This article takes an in-depth look at the security procedures in place at Columbine High School as the 20th anniversary of the April 20, 1999 shooting incident approaches. This profile follows Security Chief John McDonald through a day's worth of followup on threats and tips.
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Habla Español? Some Suffolk Cops Are Learning to Say 'Sí'
Newsday, (04/06/2019), Michael O'Keeffe
Some 20 officers are voluntarily taking the Suffolk County (N.Y.) Police Department's inaugural Spanish for Law Enforcement class. The students are learning basic skills so that they can ask non-English speaking residents they encounter in crisis situations basic, but important, questions in Spanish.
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Orange Park Police Launch 'Take Me Home Program' to Better Protect Children, Adults With Disabilities
Florida Times-Union, (04/06/2019), Teresa Stepzinski
The Orange Park Police Department recently became the first department in Northeast Florida to adopt the Take Me Home program. Families and caregivers can enroll individuals with dementia, autism spectrum disorders and other neurological issues in the free program, wherein they provide a photo, contact information and other details about participants. Police officers can use access the information and use it both to locate missing individuals and to provide assistance tailored to their individual needs.
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Scott Police Have New Uniforms
KATC.com, (04/08/2019)
Members of the Scott (La.) Police Department recently began wearing dry-fit polo shirts and a cargo-type vest that helps them stay cool and better distributes the weight of their equipment, thus potentially preventing hip and back injuries. Chief Chad Leger says that officers in the United Kingdom have worn the vests for years, but he believes his is the first department in that area to switch from carrying all equipment on a duty belt.
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Technology That 'Never Sleeps, Never Gives Up' Looking for Missing and Exploited Children
KDRV.com, (04/10/2019), content by CNN
This article takes an in-depth look at the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children's e Global Missing Children Network Engine (GMCNgine) and the various ways that it electronically searches for reported victims. It provides background on how the search process in general and GMCNgine in particular have evolved since the Center was created in 1984, and outlines plans for future improvements to the technology.
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Twenty Years After Columbine, Colorado Schools Are Assessing an Astonishing Number of Student Threats
Colorado Sun, (04/10/2019), Christopher Osher and Jennifer Brown
Through an editorial investigation to mark the 20th anniversary of the 1999 Columbine shooting, this article offers a detailed analysis of the threat assessment process in Colorado. The investigation showed that the number of threat assessments has increased significantly in recent years. School officials say the assessments are necessary to prevent violence, but there is also concern that schools may focus more on their own liability than they do on individual student rights.
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Corrections News

Washington's Top Prison Official Vows to Make Sure Inmates Can Still Get Used Books
Seattle Times, (04/05/2019), Joseph O'Sullivan
Washington State Department of Corrections Secretary Stephen Sinclair has responded to public protest about a decision to ban offenders from receiving used books through the mail by saying that although details still need to be worked out, inmates will be allowed to obtain books from sources other than the Washington State Public Library. The DOC had recently banned receipt of books from Books to Prisoners and other outside sources, due to concerns about contraband.
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Interpretation of Updated Medical Cannabis Law Could Allow All Inmates Access
New Mexico Political Report, (04/09/2019), Andy Lyman
A law recently passed in New Mexico allows individuals on probation or parole to use medical cannabis, legalizing a previously unofficial policy. The law is not clear, however, as to whether incarcerated individuals may also use medical cannabis. This article takes an in-depth look at the law and its implications.
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