All articles tagged with #police technology
Bay Area police are effectively using technology like drones and regional collaboration to catch suspects involved in smash-and-grab thefts, which are becoming more sophisticated and violent, with recent arrests made in connection to a jewelry store robbery in San Ramon.
Chicago will not renew its controversial ShotSpotter contract, drawing both support and criticism from aldermen. The multi-million-dollar contract, initially embraced by police for detecting gunshots, has been criticized for being costly and ineffective. Mayor Brandon Johnson's decision is drawing mixed reviews, with supporters arguing that it helps police respond to shootings faster, while critics point to its ineffectiveness and the police shooting of Adam Toledo as a catalyst for the decision. The city will assess alternative tools and programs to increase safety and trust, while reallocating resources to proven strategies to reduce violent crime.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced that the city will not renew its contract with ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system, after it expires in September, fulfilling a key campaign promise. Critics argue that the technology is costly and ineffective, while proponents believe it is a life-saving resource. The decision has sparked mixed reactions, with some expressing concerns about the impact on police response times and others praising the move as a step towards public safety reform. The mayor's office plans to assess alternative tools and programs to address gun violence and increase community trust.
Deion Patterson, a US Coast Guard veteran, has been arrested and charged with one count of murder and four counts of aggravated assault after a mass shooting at a medical facility in Atlanta that left one person dead and four injured. Patterson's mother has apologized to the victims' families and urged people to take mental illness seriously. The suspect had sought treatment at the facility and became angry when he was denied medication. He fled the scene on foot, stole a truck, and was caught after an eight-hour manhunt aided by police technology. The attack is one of 192 mass shootings in the US this year.
Randal Quran Reid was wrongfully arrested and spent nearly a week in jail after being mistaken for a Louisiana suspect due to a bad facial recognition match. The case appears to be the result of a cascade of technologies, including facial recognition and electronic warrants, that can make it too easy to apprehend the wrong person for a crime. None of the technologies were mentioned in official documents, and Mr. Reid was not told exactly why he had been arrested. Legal experts and public defenders are calling for more transparency in the use of police technology.