U.S. Looks at More Manpower on Mexico Border
from AFP
The United States is looking at sending troops or anti-narcotics agents to the Mexican border to fight the scourge of violent drug cartels, a U.S. general said on Tuesday. A team from several government agencies was drawing up a strategy to work with Mexico in its escalating war against the drug mafia, and would examine whether National Guard reservists were needed at the border, General Victor "Gene" Renuart, head of Northern Command, told a senate hearing. More

Maryland Bill to Nix Automatic Court Dates Killed
from Southern Maryland Newspapers
Maryland House lawmakers have rejected a proposal to change the way traffic citations are adjudicated, despite overwhelming support from the law enforcement community to cut down on the time officers spend in court. The House Judiciary Committee voted 14-5 to defeat a bill that aimed to reduce police overtime expenses and keep law enforcement personnel on the street. More

Driver Distractions: Texting to TVs
from the Delmarva Daily Times
Bills that say "don't text and drive" are back in the General Assembly this session, with hopes higher than ever to ban the habit in Maryland. For years, attempts to restrict drivers' use of cell phones while driving have failed in the General Assembly. This year, legislators are rolling out bills related to distracted driving that seek to ban hand-held cell phone use, prohibit all forms of texting and further restrict TV or DVD devices that are visible to the driver. More

Debate over Teen Driving Rolls On
from The News Herald
In Ohio, the American Automobile Association is arguing for stricter teen driving laws. Not because of the dangers to teen drivers, AAA said, but because of the dangers teen drivers present to others. Nearly two-thirds of the people who die in crashes involving 15- to 17-year-olds are passengers, occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. More

Chief Justice Wants Fee to Pay for States' Court Security
from the Daily Democrat
Citing a recent attack on a Stockton judge, California's chief justice urged lawmakers on Tuesday to approve a $7 increase in court fees to maintain courthouse security. Chief Justice Ronald George told a joint session of the state Senate and Assembly this past week that courts do not have the money to implement security standards agreed upon by court officials and county sheriffs. More

California Project Uses GPS as Lifesaver for Missing
from KSBW-TV
More than 5 million people in the United States suffer from dementia, Alzheimer's and other brain disorders and the National Alzheimer's Association estimates that nearly half of them wander away from their care provider. Project Lifesaver is a national effort that aims to preclude those with mental disorders from getting into harm's way. The new technology is offered through the Monterey Sheriff's Department and they said it could have prevented the most recent situation involving a missing man. More

Schools Extend Range of Deputies' In-Car Computers
from the McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
An agreement between county government and Monroe County Community School Corp. means better range for new in-car computers used by sheriff's deputies. The Monroe County commissioners have OK'd agreements with two elementary schools to install communications equipment on towers at those schools, which means deputies using mobile data terminals inside their vehicles will be able to send and receive information in nearly all corners of the county, sheriff's chief deputy Mike Pershing. More

California DPS Showcasing New Crime Fighting Technology
from the Times-Standard
The Yurok, Calif., Department of Public Safety will showcase the department's new crime fighting equipment and specialized projects during an event Wednesday. The new equipment -- the first of its kind on the North Coast -- includes a micro-camera system that records video and audio in front of each of the department's vehicles and in the back seat. It also has a customized, built-in GPS which can, for example, mark where suspects throw evidence out of their vehicle during a chase. More

Police Turn Focus to Protect Seniors
from the Gazette
The Prince George's County, Md., Police Department will use Adelphi and Beltsville as launch sites for its Triad program, which is aimed at increasing communication between police and senior citizens and providing crime prevention resources to the elderly. More

Florida Sheriff Getting Weapons Detection System
from the Tampa Tribune
An infrared device originally used to help troops detect suicide bombers is now available for local law enforcement agencies, and the Pinellas County, Fla., Sheriff's Office has purchased two of them, according to a spokesman for the company selling them. More

Modernizing Security in Iowa County
from KHQA-TV
Lee County, Iowa, is spending some money to make employees and the public safer. The Lee County Board of Supervisors decided last week to buy a new security system for its buildings. KHQA's Jarod Wells found out today this is just the first step toward modernizing security. Employees at the South Lee County courthouse soon will have a panic button to use for emergencies. It's part of an $11,465 security system for the county. More

House Panel OKs 'Rachel's Law'
from Florida Today
Speaking softly, but firmly, in a hushed committee room, Margie Weiss made a successful legislative debut on Tuesday, convincing a House panel to approve "Rachel's Law" on behalf of her slain daughter. The measure (HB 271) by Rep. Peter Nehr, R-Tarpon Springs, seeks greater oversight in the use of confidential informants. More

Denver Sheriff Department Looks for Ways to Track Use-of-force Reports
from the Denver Post
The Denver Sheriff Department does not have an effective way of tracking use-of-force reports filed by deputies, a problem because it makes identifying trends and problem deputies difficult. More