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North Carolina working to erase biggest rape kit backlog in nation

Kate Martin Imari Scarbrough

March 20, 2019 |

Carolina Public Press |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Fayetteville, North Carolina

With the largest backlog of rape kits in the country, North Carolina is taking steps to expedite the process. A key challenge in this effort is the autonomy of police departments to test them at their own discretion. Still, cities like Fayetteville are making headway and seeing results, namely, 37 arrests. On the state level, a bipartisan bill is in motion that would designate $6 million for testing rape kits.

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Oregon Leading the Nation in Clearing Backlog of Untested Rape Kits with Survivor-Focused Legislature

Ariana Sinclair Ruben Estrada Hannah Kanik

March 20, 2019 |

University of Oregon |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Salem, Oregon

As of 2018, Oregon’s backlog of Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) kits had been cleared thanks to the passage of a state bill, commonly referred to as Melissa’s Law. Besides clearing the accumulated kits, the legislation requires police to pick-up the kits from hospitals within seven days of notification and submit SAFE kits for testing within two weeks. Such a response has led to six perpetrators being identified as well as a systemic, patient-driven process for sexual assault survivors.

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Police accountability: Statewide media coalition pushing hard to acquire police records

Sukey Lewis Thomas Peele Alex Emslie

March 19, 2019 |

San Jose Mercury News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, California

A new California law requiring that police departments make public their records of police officers' misconduct revealed numerous cases that had not been known before. Police unions and state and local governments sought protection in the courts from having to disclose the records, but when they lost those challenges the records began coming out. The California Reporting Project formed as a coalition of news organizations statewide that have teamed up to make full use of the new transparency law. The project filed hundreds of records requests seeking more disclosures.

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New software to help KCPD identify crime risk areas

Andres Gutierrez

March 19, 2019 |

KSHB-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Kansas City, Missouri

In Kansas City, Missouri, the police department has been using crime data to strategically understand which areas require more resources. This model, which has been used since 2012 and has led to a 12% decrease in violent crimes, is being expanded upon. New technology called “risk-terrain modeling” helps police officers work more proactively to change environments, like lighting on certain corners, to prevent crime.

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New Independence Street Crimes Unit already making an impact

Kevin Holmes

March 07, 2019 |

KSHB-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Independence, Missouri

In Independence, Missouri, the police department has developed the Street Crimes Unit devoted entirely to addressing crime in the city. Taking a proactive, data-driven approach, law enforcement has been able to devote more time and resources to closing criminal investigations.

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Border communities refine tactics to deal with onslaught of fentanyl overdoses

Julian Hernandez

March 06, 2019 |

Cronkite News - Arizona PBS |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Nogales, Arizona

On the United States’ southern border, law enforcement are changing how they address drug overdoses. In places like Nogales, AZ, police are taking a public engagement approach, seeking to work with citizens to prevent overdoses, especially from fentanyl-laced drugs. They’re connecting more with the community, using foot patrol and knocking on doors, to gain more insight into the problem and how to prevent it.

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The new weapon in the fight against crime

Chris Baraniuk

March 04, 2019 |

BBC |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom

Countries around the world have been testing the use of artificial intelligence, or AI, as assistive technology to solving crimes. From creating algorithms that can identify victims of sex trafficking online to developing machine learning mechanisms that can identify and distinguish different DNA strands, officials hope that AI can help law enforcement more efficiently and effectively solve complex cases.

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How New Orleans police went from ‘most corrupt' to model force

Patrik Jonsson

February 26, 2019 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

The New Orleans Police Department did not have the best reputation among the community due to a series of corrupt acts committed by individual officers on the force. Thanks to a series of outreach efforts to marginalized communities as well as oversight by a federal monitor, NOPD has been able to turn perceptions around over the last five years, garnering the department national attention in how to transition to humanistic policing.

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Solving the unsolved: How cities are turning up heat on cold cases

Patrik Jonsson

February 25, 2019 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

Police departments across the United States are implementing strategies and reforms in response to the growing number of unsolved criminal cases. With cold cases often linked to declined trust in police and the undermining of wellbeing in, typically urban, neighborhoods, these reforms are seeking to reverse course.

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APD Trying To Repair Its Reputation On Albuquerque Streets

Marisa Demarco

February 21, 2019 |

KUNM |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque Police Department knows that not all community members are apt to trust in officers, so the department created a new interdisciplinary team specifically focused on working with those people. Although this is not a quick fix, the police have reported an increase in information reporting that has lead to the arrests of wanted suspects.

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