Criminal Justice Technology in the News

Law Enforcement News

Tennessee's Hands-Free Driving Law in Effect
WHNT, (07/01/2019)
A law that prohibits drivers from holding their phones is among the new laws taking effect in Tennessee on July 1. The goal is to cut back on distracted driving collisions. A first-time offense can carry a $50 fine.
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New Florida Law Allows Paramedics to Carry Guns When Responding to High-Risk Incidents
CBS Miami, (07/01/2019)
A new Florida law allows medics to carry a gun when responding to high-risk situations such as active gunman incidents and drug raids. The law, which took effect July 1, states that while accompanying either a police SWAT or special-response unit, tactical medical professionals may carry firearms in the same manner as a law enforcement officer.
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Ormond Beach Police Now Equipped With Body Cameras
Ormond Beach Observer, (07/01/2019), Jarleene Almenas
All 71 sworn officers in the Ormond Beach Police Department in Florida will be equipped with body cameras in July. The cameras will aid in reviewing incidents. Officers will be able to see and clarify what happened in the event of a complaint, doubts, or training and discipline issues.
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Pittsburgh Police on Track to Equip Nearly 900 Officers With Body Cams, Chief Says
TribLive, (07/03/2019), Natasha Lindstrom
Two-thirds of the Pittsburgh police force now is equipped with body cameras, and all of the city's nearly 900 officers will be wearing the recording devices by the end of the year, according to an annual report. Pittsburgh police use two models of body cameras. Any camera within a 30-yard radius will activate when an officer turns on a patrol car's lights and sirens during a "hot call."
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Hands-Free Bill to Go Into Effect as Distracted Driving Citations Rise
Minnesota Daily, (07/10/2019), Mohamed Ibrahim
A new Minnesota law effective August 1 will prohibit drivers from using wireless communications devices while operating a vehicle, with the exception of voice-activated, hands-free features. Local and state officials have also increased enforcement and education efforts to deter distracted driving. According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, distracted driving accounted for one in every five crashes statewide and an average of 45 deaths annually between 2014 and 2018.
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Corrections News

New Rules at OC Jails Aims to Prevent Delivery of Meth-Soaked Greeting Cards
City News Service, (07/02/2019)
As of Aug. 1, 2019, all Orange County Jail facilities will no longer accept cardstock paper, greeting cards and colored paper sent to inmates, in a move meant to curb drug smuggling. Only mail written on postcards, lined white paper or plain white paper that is not cardstock weight will be accepted. So far this year, drug-sniffing dogs in the jails have intercepted 147 greeting cards containing drugs addressed to inmates, according to sheriff's officials, who said most of those cards were soaked in methamphetamine.
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