police
Politicians love to cite crime data. It’s often wrong.
When Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his presidential campaign in May, he proudly told the nation that Florida’s crime rate in 2021 had reached a 50-year low. But really, DeSantis couldn’t say for sure. That’s because fewer than 1 in 10 law enforcement agencies in his state had reported their crime statistics to the […]
Maine legislators vow action to address state’s weak gun laws after Lewiston mass shooting
Following a mass shooting in Lewiston on Wednesday night in which 18 people were killed and 13 were wounded, proponents of gun policy reform pointed out that it remains far too easy to obtain a firearm in Maine and called for stricter safety laws. As Mainers grappled with the tragedy, among the worst mass shootings […]
AI bots are helping 911 dispatchers with their workload
In the middle of a storm, 911 call centers often find themselves inundated with reports of fallen trees, flooded roads and panicked residents. Every call matters, but with multiple reports of the same incident pouring in, the pressure on emergency services can become overwhelming. Amid the chaos, a technological ally has emerged: artificial intelligence. In […]
Washington watches as trial of 3 Tacoma officers accused of killing Manny Ellis gets underway
Opening statements are expected Tuesday in the high-profile trial of three Tacoma police officers charged in the March 3, 2020 death of Manuel Ellis. Ellis, a Black man, died after a chaotic altercation with the officers on a city street, which took place as he was walking home from a trip to a convenience store […]
Cities are embracing teen curfews, though they might not curb crime
In response to growing public concern over crime, cities and counties throughout the United States are returning to a familiar tool: curfews for young people. Proponents argue curfews curb crime and protect youth by keeping them off the streets. But research suggests curfews are ineffective, and some juvenile justice advocates and experts warn of unintended […]
Nearly 300,000 fentanyl pills seized in one of King County’s largest drug busts
Police in King County seized $1.2 million in drugs, including 290,000 fentanyl pills, in an operation last week, county officials said Wednesday. The amount of fentanyl seized was equivalent to more than 2 million lethal doses and is one of the largest illegal drug seizures for the King County Sheriff’s Office, according to a press […]
Less than a third of WA police certified in new deescalation and mental health training
Carlos Hunter was killed by police officers who tased him and shot him 16 times during a 2019 traffic stop for a search warrant in Vancouver, Washington. A Clark County prosecutor determined that the police acted lawfully. But a lawsuit Hunter’s family filed last year describes a chaotic scene in the moments that led up […]