Week of January 17, 2022

Racial and ethnic disparities in law enforcement, police accountability task force issues recommendations in Hartford, duty-to-intervene laws, police begin sending warnings and tickets via text, Marsy’s Law wrecking havoc on police transparency in Florida, Anton’s Law transparency in MD slow or non-existent, tough on crime debate, and more…

POLICE CONDUCT

New report finds racial, ethnic disparities in law enforcement stops across California (CBS8)

Greater transparency, more training, increased diversity: The police accountability task force issues its recommendations to the legislature (Hartford Courant)

Actions of officers who didn’t stop Derek Chauvin spur duty-to-intervene laws (NBCNews) see also: Sunrise police sergeant relieved of duty after grabbing fellow officer by the neck (Local10.com)

Minneapolis argues to dismiss lawsuit on MPD ‘coaching’ data (KARE)

Should firearms be allowed in K-12 public schools? An analysis of law enforcement’s perceptions of armed teacher policies (Springer Link)

APD 311 diversion helps with emergencies, creates backlog for low-level crimes (KXAN)

CRIME RATE

How is Tulsa going to combat gun violence? (KTUL)

License Plate Theft Victim Uncovers Elaborate Criminal Scheme After Getting Hit With Massive Parking Tickets (SFist.com)

Austin crime analyst spots concerning trend in 2021 homicide cases (KXAN)

LASD stats show 94% jump in homicides in LA County over 2-year span, Sheriff Villanueva says (ABC7)

Wave of violent crime fuels tensions between DA, police chief in New Orleans (WWLTV)

NYC Subway Death Renews Debate Over City’s Response to Crime (Bloomberg)

Domestic abuse fueling increase in violent crime in Cedar Rapids, but shots-fired incidents down (The Gazette)

CRIM-TECH

Ford, ADT partner on smart tech to deter vehicle theft (Axios)

For Drivers in This Texas City, the Days of Getting Pulled Over by the Cops Are Over. Through a new program, police will now be able to send drivers warnings and tickets through text messages. (Gizmodo)

POLICE TRANSPARENCY

Supreme Court agrees to consider Marsy’s Law dispute between city of Tallahassee and police union. Marsy’s Law, intended for victims, now used to shield law enforcement (Tallahassee Democrat) see also: Tampa police disable online crime map, citing Marsy’s Law concerns (Fox13)

Anton’s Law promised to make Maryland police disciplinary records public, but in reality transparency has been slow or nonexistent (Baltimore Sun)

‘We need your help’: Columbus police promise transparency to help solve homicides (WBNS)

THE PRISON SYSTEM

Tough-on-crime debate needs balance of effective policies (Daily Breeze)

Right On Crime Releases New Study: A Call to Reform Federal Solitary Confinement (RightOnCrime)