Public Safety: Page 2
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They’re not streets. They’re not roads. ‘Stroads’ present challenges for cities.
Designed to accommodate both local access and high-speed traffic, stroads require extra safety precautions.
By Karen Kroll • May 13, 2025 -
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Mayors call arrest of Newark, N.J., mayor ‘deeply troubling’
Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka’s arrest during his attempt to inspect a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility raised concerns about federal overreach.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 12, 2025 -
Ralf Geithe via Getty Images
Report ranks states’ efforts to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
UL Standards & Engagement officials recommend cities and states mandate indoor carbon monoxide alarms, conduct public awareness campaigns and train first responders.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 8, 2025 -
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Lawsuit challenges NYPD “gang database”
Plaintiffs claim Blacks and Latinos who have tattoos and wear gang-affiliated colors are being added to the database, which NYPD says is a crucial tool in stopping gang-related shootings.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 6, 2025 -
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Trump budget proposal slashes climate funding
Renewable energy, environmental justice and Superfund cleanup are among programs that would be eliminated.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated May 5, 2025 -
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3 cities join lawsuit challenging mass layoffs of federal workers
Unions, nonprofits and local governments allege the staff reductions threaten vital services and public safety.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 2, 2025 -
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Trump directs Justice Department, military to support local law enforcement
The National Police Association applauds the order as providing needed support, while civil liberties groups warn of federal overreach and the danger of escalating tensions.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 1, 2025 -
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Cities lose “critical guidance” from climate report: former NOAA official
The National Climate Assessment provides region-specific projections for infrastructure planning, budgeting and emergency preparedness.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • April 30, 2025 -
Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
5 ‘sanctuary cities’ sue DHS to restore counterterrorism funds
The cities allege the Department of Homeland Security is jeopardizing terror preparedness and radiological detection efforts after reimbursements have stalled for months.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated June 17, 2025 -
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Justice Department cancels hundreds of public safety grants
The move will impede progress that’s been made on deterring crime, the U.S. Conference of Mayors says, calling for the grants’ reinstatement.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • April 24, 2025 -
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Nearly half of US residents breathe unhealthy air: report
American Lung Association officials call for city leaders to speak up for federal support of air quality research amid record pollution levels.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • April 23, 2025 -
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ICE agents denied entry into LAUSD elementary schools
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security maintains the incidents, which rattled the education community, were "wellness checks on children who arrived unaccompanied at the border."
By Naaz Modan • April 16, 2025 -
Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
Nearly 3,000 city leaders gathered in Washington last week. Here’s what they had to say.
Mayors, council members and nonprofit leaders heard from Vice President JD Vance, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and others at the National League of Cities meeting.
By Dan Zukowski • March 21, 2025 -
Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
City leaders name housing, public safety and infrastructure as top issues
The National League of Cities Congressional City Conference brought together 3,000 city leaders to discuss these issues, with appearances from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Vice President JD Vance.
By Dan Zukowski • March 18, 2025 -
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US DOT asks DC transportation authorities to focus on cutting crime
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy directed Amtrak, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the District Department of Transportation to report and take action to improve safety.
By Dan Zukowski • March 7, 2025 -
Maddie Meyer via Getty Images
FTA postpones enforcement of state safety oversight rule for rail transit
Though the rule was effective Jan. 1, the Federal Transit Administration is postponing enforcement to March 20 in line with a Jan. 20 executive order.
By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 25, 2025 -
Adam Gray via Getty Images
Starbucks reverses open-door policy as it pursues coffeehouse environment
Under the new policy, customers will have to make a purchase if they want to hang out in Starbucks coffee shops or use its bathrooms.
By Kristen Doerer • Jan. 15, 2025 -
Daphne Howland/Smart Cities Dive
Washington, DC, sues Amazon over slow Prime deliveries in underserved areas
Prime members in two zip codes aren’t receiving promised benefits, D.C.’s attorney general alleges. The e-commerce giant defended its actions by citing concerns over driver safety.
By Daphne Howland • Dec. 5, 2024 -
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OpinionLoosening alcohol laws to revitalize your city’s economy is a mistake
Cities must keep our public spaces alcohol-free to preserve health and safety, warns a policy consultant at the Institute for Public Strategies, a public health organization.
By Daniel Skiles • Nov. 22, 2024 -
Permission granted by Oracle
Sponsored by OracleTechnologies transforming public safety
Learn how modern public safety technology solutions are helping police and law enforcement serve, protect, and engage communities.
By Shane Ruiz • Nov. 18, 2024 -
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FTA orders transit agencies to protect workers amid rising assaults
“No American should go to work and worry they will not return home safely,” the Federal Transit Administration’s deputy administrator said. Agencies must respond by Dec. 26.
By Dan Zukowski • Updated Nov. 12, 2024 -
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2025’s top smart city conferences
Smart city technology, housing, climate action, transportation, public safety and more take center stage at events in 2025.
By Dan Zukowski • Updated June 27, 2025 -
Courtesy of Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union
New York enacts panic-button law to counter crime in stores
The bill signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, which requires a host of safety measures to address store-based crime, was opposed by key retail trade groups.
By Daphne Howland • Sept. 9, 2024 -
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Homelessness response team heads to streets in Birmingham, Alabama
As it does in some California and Texas cities, the organization Urban Alchemy will respond to certain nonemergency calls in Birmingham instead of the police.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 5, 2024 -
Courtesy of Shot Spotter
New York joins cities questioning ShotSpotter costs, benefits
The gunshot detection system may waste NYPD resources, a June audit states, and existing data don’t support renewing the contract. Chicago and Houston are among the cities that plan to drop the technology.
By David Silverberg • July 11, 2024
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