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Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg Launches Initiative to Combat Ghost Guns

Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg Launches Initiative to Combat Ghost Guns

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has announced new measures to address the rising issue of ghost guns in New York City. These untraceable firearms, often assembled from kits, have become increasingly popular due to their accessibility and lack of serial numbers. Bragg's initiative aims to create barriers to the acquisition and distribution of ghost guns, focusing on legislative efforts and community outreach to curb their proliferation.

Stockton City Council Convenes First Meeting Following Deadly Mass Shooting

Stockton City Council Convenes First Meeting Following Deadly Mass Shooting

The Stockton City Council held its first meeting after a tragic mass shooting incident, which has left the community in shock. The meeting was a platform for residents to express their concerns and seek answers from city officials regarding the safety measures in place to prevent such incidents. The council addressed the community's grief and discussed potential strategies to enhance public safety. The shooting, which occurred recently, has prompted a significant response from local law enforcement and community leaders, who are working together to investigate the incident and provide support to the affected families.

Holiday Season Sees Surge in Injury Claims Due to Common Accidents

Holiday Season Sees Surge in Injury Claims Due to Common Accidents

During the holiday season, personal injury lawyers report a significant increase in claims related to slip-and-fall accidents and car crashes. These incidents are often attributed to icy roads, crowded stores, and defective products, which pose heightened risks during this time of year. Slip-and-fall accidents are particularly common due to slippery walkways and cluttered paths, while car accidents are exacerbated by winter weather conditions and increased traffic. Additionally, the holiday season sees a rise in accidents involving defective products, such as unsafe toys and decorations, which can lead to injuries ranging from minor bruises to serious fractures.

Sacramento Immigration Advocates Raise Concerns Over ICE Targeting Afghan Community

Sacramento Immigration Advocates Raise Concerns Over ICE Targeting Afghan Community

Immigration advocates in Sacramento have expressed concerns that the Department of Homeland Security, specifically Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), may be targeting members of the Afghan community for detention. This development has raised alarms among local advocacy groups who are worried about the potential for increased enforcement actions against this community. The advocates claim that several individuals from the Afghan community have been detained, although specific numbers and details of these detentions have not been disclosed. The situation has prompted calls for transparency and accountability from ICE regarding their enforcement practices in the area.

President Trump Administration Demands Chicago Safety Plan or Risk Federal Funding

President Trump Administration Demands Chicago Safety Plan or Risk Federal Funding

The administration of President Trump has issued a directive to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, demanding a comprehensive safety plan to enhance police presence on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). The directive warns that failure to comply could result in the withholding of vital federal funding. This move comes amid ongoing concerns about safety and crime rates in Chicago, particularly on public transportation systems. The federal government's involvement highlights the urgency of addressing these issues to ensure public safety and maintain federal support.

ICEBlock App Developer Sues Trump Administration Over Free Speech Concerns

ICEBlock App Developer Sues Trump Administration Over Free Speech Concerns

The developer of the ICEBlock app, Joshua Aaron, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging violations of free speech rights. The app, which was designed to alert users about the presence of U.S. immigration agents, was removed from Apple's app store following pressure from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. Bondi argued that the app endangered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers by allowing users to track their activities. The lawsuit claims that the actions of Bondi, along with other officials, were unlawful and seeks protection from prosecution for Aaron. The Department of Justice has not commented on the lawsuit.

Merseyside Police Deploys Facial Recognition Technology to Enhance Security

Merseyside Police Deploys Facial Recognition Technology to Enhance Security

Merseyside Police has implemented Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology to identify individuals from a secure watchlist in crowded areas. The system compares live camera feeds to photographs of people wanted for crimes or considered a risk. Assistant Chief Constable Jennifer Wilson emphasized that the technology is not mass surveillance, as it only identifies individuals on the watchlist. The biometric data of those not on the list is immediately deleted, ensuring privacy. The technology is isolated from the internet to prevent data breaches, and strict checks are in place to ensure its use is necessary and proportionate. The first deployment occurred in Liverpool city center, with areas covered by LFR clearly marked.

UK ICO Seeks Clarity on Facial Recognition Bias Impacting Police Use

UK ICO Seeks Clarity on Facial Recognition Bias Impacting Police Use

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has requested urgent clarification from the Home Office following a report that revealed racial bias in the retrospective facial recognition (RFR) technology used by police. The report, conducted by the National Physical Laboratory, tested the Cognitec FaceVACS-DBScan ID v5.5 algorithm and found that it disproportionately affected certain demographic groups. Specifically, the false positive rates were significantly higher for Asian and black subjects compared to white subjects. The ICO, led by Deputy Information Commissioner Emily Keaney, expressed disappointment over not being informed earlier about these biases despite regular interactions with the Home Office and police bodies. The Home Office has since purchased a new algorithm intended to address these biases, which will be operationally tested in the coming year.

Authorities Monitor Online Criticism Amid New Orleans Immigration Crackdown

Authorities Monitor Online Criticism Amid New Orleans Immigration Crackdown

State and federal authorities in New Orleans are intensively monitoring online criticism and protests against an ongoing immigration crackdown, known as 'Catahoula Crunch'. This operation has led to the arrest of 38 individuals, with only a minority having significant criminal histories. The authorities are tracking message boards and social media to gauge public sentiment and identify potential threats to agents. Local officials have expressed concerns over the lack of transparency and the chilling effect this surveillance could have on free speech. The operation, which aims to arrest up to 5,000 individuals, has been criticized for targeting individuals based on racial profiling rather than focusing solely on violent offenders.

UK ICO Seeks Clarity on Facial Recognition Bias in Police Use

UK ICO Seeks Clarity on Facial Recognition Bias in Police Use

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has requested urgent clarification from the Home Office following a report revealing racial bias in police use of retrospective facial recognition (RFR) technology. The National Physical Laboratory's report found higher false positive rates for Asian and black subjects compared to white subjects. The Home Office is taking steps to address these biases, including acquiring a new algorithm. The ICO emphasizes the importance of public confidence in technology use and the need for transparency to prevent discrimination.

AG Dave Sunday Leads Coalition to Urge Congress for Workforce Reentry Act Passage

AG Dave Sunday Leads Coalition to Urge Congress for Workforce Reentry Act Passage

Attorney General Dave Sunday is spearheading a coalition of 36 state and territorial attorneys general to advocate for the passage of H.R. 1633, the Workforce Reentry Act, in Congress. This legislation, sponsored by U.S. Representative Lloyd Smucker, aims to support individuals released from prison by providing resources and workforce development programs to aid their reintegration into society. The bill seeks to make federal grant funding for reentry programs permanent and ensure effective use of these funds. Currently, funding for such services is often temporary, leading to instability in programs focused on post-incarceration employment and skill development. The coalition highlights that recidivism is closely linked to a lack of employment opportunities and job skills, with federal data indicating high rearrest rates among released individuals. The bipartisan letter to Congress was drafted by Sunday along with other attorneys general, emphasizing the benefits of successful reentry for families, commun...

Suffolk Police Plans Control Room Relocation with £2.2m Purchase

Suffolk Police Plans Control Room Relocation with £2.2m Purchase

Suffolk's police and crime commissioner, Tim Passmore, has approved the purchase of Suffolk County Council's share of Landmark House in Ipswich for £2.2 million. This acquisition aims to facilitate the relocation of the police's contact and control room (CCR), which is expected to include significant technological upgrades. The move is part of a broader effort to address issues identified in a 2023 inspection by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Service, which highlighted inadequacies in call response times. The police have since improved their emergency call response, with 91% of calls answered within 10 seconds as of September 2024.