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Montana DUI Reform Summit Calls for Unified Action to Combat Drunk Driving

Montana DUI Reform Summit Calls for Unified Action to Combat Drunk Driving

A DUI Reform Summit was held at Flathead Valley Community College, organized by state Rep. Courtenay Sprunger, R-Kalispell, to address Montana's high rates of drunk driving. Montana has one of the highest rates in the nation, with 8.57 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers. In Flathead County alone, 70 alcohol-impaired drivers caused 75 fatalities between 2015-2024, accounting for 42% of all county fatalities. Panelists, including lawmakers, law enforcement, judges, and treatment experts, discussed the need for a multi-faceted approach involving legislative action, increased resources for addiction treatment, enhanced law enforcement presence, and a cultural shift away from the acceptance of drunk driving. A key legislative proposal from Rep. Steven Kelly, R-Kalispell, aims to make a third DUI offense a felony, a change from the current fourth offense felony status in Montana.

Fraternal Order of Police Supports 'Training Rural Law Enforcement Officers Act' to Address Training Gaps

Fraternal Order of Police Supports 'Training Rural Law Enforcement Officers Act' to Address Training Gaps

The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) has publicly announced its support for S. 5109, the 'Training Rural Law Enforcement Officers Act.' This legislation aims to bridge a significant training disparity between large and small, rural law enforcement agencies. The FOP highlights that rural departments often face budgetary and staffing constraints, limiting their access to essential training and resources. The proposed act would authorize the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide grants to certified and accredited law enforcement-related nonprofit organizations. These grants would fund training for agencies with fewer than 50 sworn personnel, offered at no cost to the individual officers or their departments. The FOP emphasizes that this initiative is crucial for ensuring equal access to resources, enabling law enforcement to carry out their duties more effectively and safely, particularly in high-risk public safety scenarios. The organization believes that utilizing nonprofit organizations for this purpo...

Maui Council Committee Advances License Plate Reader Bill, Delays Facial Recognition Measure

Maui Council Committee Advances License Plate Reader Bill, Delays Facial Recognition Measure

The Disaster Recovery, International Affairs and Planning Committee of the Maui County Council has voted to advance a bill regulating automated license plate reader technology while delaying action on a separate measure concerning facial recognition technology. The decision came after significant public testimony from residents urging stricter bans or restrictions on both technologies, citing concerns about privacy and surveillance. Bill 113, which addresses license plate readers, was approved with one dissenting vote from Council Member Gabe Johnson. This bill aims to prohibit the sale of automated license plate reader data and ensure that county contracts for these systems prevent vendors from using data for purposes outside the contract. Conversely, Bill 112, which would regulate facial recognition technology, was delayed until next year, with Council Chair Alice Lee citing a busy schedule and the need for more time to understand its implications. The Maui Police Department stated it does not currently ...

Rubio to visit Colombia, Ecuador and Peru next week

Rubio to visit Colombia, Ecuador and Peru next week

Sept 4 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Latin America next week, visiting Ecuador and meeting a pair of newly elected presidents in Colombia and Peru in his first trips to those two countries as America's top diplomat, the State Department said on Friday.

Stevens Point Suspends Flock Camera Use Amid Data Privacy Concerns and Misuse Allegations

Stevens Point Suspends Flock Camera Use Amid Data Privacy Concerns and Misuse Allegations

The city of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, announced it will suspend the use of its Flock Safety license plate reading cameras starting September 8, due to growing nationwide concerns and allegations of data misuse. Mayor Mike Wiza stated that while the cameras have been valuable law enforcement tools, recent events have cast doubt on the trust regarding how Flock camera data is managed and shared. Allegations from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, concerning data sharing and management, along with reports of misuse by municipal and state employees across the country, contributed to the decision. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also recently banned these cameras from state highways due to similar concerns about misuse and surveillance. Stevens Point currently shares camera data with over 200 agencies, and Mayor Wiza indicated that city workers will cover the cameras while officials explore terminating the city's contract with Flock Safety.

Dallas City Council Rejects Proposal to Defund Flock Camera System

Dallas City Council Rejects Proposal to Defund Flock Camera System

The Dallas City Council has voted against a budget amendment that sought to eliminate $1.5 million in funding for the Dallas Police Department's (DPD) Flock camera system. This decision comes shortly after DPD announced that 321 of its 684 Flock cameras would be deactivated by September 15 due to a State of Texas directive regarding grant funding eligibility. Council member Adam Bazaldua proposed the amendment, which would have effectively ended the program. However, the majority of the council strongly opposed the measure, arguing that the Flock cameras are instrumental in improving police efficiency and solving crimes. Only Mayor Pro Tem Jaime Resendez, council member Paula Blackmon, and Bazaldua supported the proposed defunding.

Kentucky Lawmakers Question Flock Safety Over License Plate Reader Camera Privacy Concerns

Kentucky Lawmakers Question Flock Safety Over License Plate Reader Camera Privacy Concerns

Kentucky lawmakers heard testimony from Flock Safety, a company that manufactures automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, regarding concerns about police misuse, data ownership, and privacy. Kevin Kane, Flock Safety's director of governmental affairs, addressed questions from legislators, including State Rep. Jennifer Decker, who expressed worries about a potential 'surveillance state.' Kane emphasized that customers, meaning law enforcement agencies, control data sharing and that Flock Safety does not sell data. He also highlighted safeguards, such as audit logs, which have reportedly helped identify improper searches by officers. However, Northern Kentucky Republican TJ Roberts raised concerns about Flock Safety's patents, which he claims indicate facial recognition technology integration, a claim Kane denied, stating the company's ALPRs do not utilize or like facial recognition technology.

Palm Beach County Halts Flock Camera Expansion Amid Privacy Concerns

Palm Beach County Halts Flock Camera Expansion Amid Privacy Concerns

Palm Beach County has paused the issuance of new permits for automated Flock cameras on county roads, following a decision by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to remove these cameras from state right-of-ways. County commissioners voted to halt new permits and demanded answers from the sheriff's office regarding data retention practices. Commissioner Joel Flores described the license plate reader cameras as an 'intrusive, mass surveillance network,' emphasizing the need to balance public safety with individual rights. While some commissioners, like Maria Sachs, acknowledge the public safety benefits of these cameras, others, including Gregg K. Weiss, expressed deep unease about data ownership, access, retention, and the potential for data to be sold to third parties. Flock Safety operates a nationwide network of these cameras, which record license plates and vehicle characteristics, with data accessible to thousands of law enforcement agencies across 49 states. The county plans to hold a publ...

Dallas City Council Signals Support for Flock Safety Cameras Amid Funding Uncertainty

Dallas City Council Signals Support for Flock Safety Cameras Amid Funding Uncertainty

A majority of the Dallas City Council has indicated support for retaining Flock Safety's network of license-plate readers, viewing them as a critical tool for crime solving and suspect tracking. This nonbinding vote occurred during a debate over amendments to the city manager's proposed $5.6 billion budget, specifically rejecting Council member Adam Bazaldua's proposal to cut $1.5 million for the Flock program. The council's stance comes despite recent developments, including Governor Greg Abbott's pause on state funding for the technology, which led Dallas police to announce the deactivation of 321 cameras this month. Dallas police had previously stated that nearly half of the city's camera network was supported by state grant funding. Council members who supported the cameras cited their value in police investigations and public safety, while acknowledging concerns about privacy and the need for safeguards. The final budget vote is scheduled for September 16.

The Knoxville News-Sentinel

Knox County banned Flock cameras. What happens next?

Knox County banned Flock cameras. What happens next?

Questions remain after Knox County bans controversial license plate readers. Here's the latest.

Texas DPS to Continue Extensive Surveillance Network Despite Governor's Order Limiting Flock Cameras

Texas DPS to Continue Extensive Surveillance Network Despite Governor's Order Limiting Flock Cameras

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) plans to continue operating its extensive network of AI-powered surveillance cameras, known as Flock cameras, despite Governor Greg Abbott's order blocking state agencies from spending money on these devices. While DPS will pause the installation of new cameras, it will maintain its existing network, which includes at least 940 cameras. This network compiles identifying information on tens of thousands of vehicles daily. A Texas Tribune review of June searches revealed that DPS's network is accessed by law enforcement agencies across the U.S. approximately every four seconds. Of the 615,000 searches, 48% originated from outside Texas, and 3,075 agencies, including 2,679 from out-of-state, conducted queries. Following inquiries from the Tribune, DPS announced it would limit access to its automated license plate reader (ALPR) data to only those law enforcement agencies with signed agreements, a change from previous access for specific license plate lookups by non-a...

State Representative Shelia Stubbs Advocates for Mandatory Body Cameras for All Wisconsin Police

State Representative Shelia Stubbs Advocates for Mandatory Body Cameras for All Wisconsin Police

State Representative Shelia Stubbs announced her intention to champion legislation requiring all Wisconsin police officers to wear body cameras. This announcement follows the shooting of Corey Ruiz by Madison police on July 22. Representative Stubbs, speaking at the Center for Black Excellence and Culture, criticized the City of Madison for not implementing body-worn cameras and for failing to apply for state funding for such initiatives. She emphasized that any legislation would be developed with the input and blessing of Corey Ruiz's family and their advocates. Attorney Ben Crump, who appeared alongside Stubbs, highlighted the importance of strong policies accompanying body camera implementation to ensure transparency and accountability, stating that "transparency plus accountability equals trust." Attorney B'Ivory Lamarr pointed to the City of Milwaukee's policy, which requires body camera video from critical incidents to be shared with the victim's family within 48 hours and released publicly within 15...