As of October 25, the total number of gun violence deaths in the U.S. this year alone is a staggering 31,885 with 342 from mass shootings. These numbers would be unbelievable if we weren’t seeing it play out nearly daily … Continue reading →
As technology continues to evolve, privacy has become a constant juggling act. This fine line is particularly seen in today’s debate on facial recognition. Some cities are embracing it — often seeing considerable value in the realm of public safety … Continue reading →
When disaster hits a community and an SOS call goes out, generally the problem is not a lack of response but rather an overwhelming response of volunteers and donations. For mayors and other city officials trying to put their communities … Continue reading →
In August 2017 a catastrophic Hurricane Harvey left his calling card with the good people of Houston and southeast Texas who hadn’t invited him in the first place. The Category 4 high winds — 130 mph — and a … Continue reading →
Sustainable procurement or “green purchasing” is an initiative that is often driven — and achieved — through municipal purchasing decisions. From buying products made of recycled materials or weighing the energy efficiency of an appliance, to contracting firms with socially … Continue reading →
There is a mountain of misinformation circulating about fifth-generation wireless technology, or 5G. You may have heard the scary things people pick up on the internet. Some of that surfaced in The Municipal‘s December 2018 guest column, “What municipal managers … Continue reading →
As social media continues to be more prevalent in society, municipalities are finding new ways to utilize it to engage with the public. Most people are familiar with Facebook, Twitter and Instagram but Next Door is a social media … Continue reading →
As the mayor of Taylorsville, Utah, Kristie Overson said one of her highest priorities is to plan for the community’s future by building on the successes and lessons of the past. That’s why she met with the city council, city … Continue reading →
By Tom Polera, Emergency Manager and Chief Fire Marshal, Falls Church, Va. The city of Falls Church, Va., Office of Fire Prevention and Emergency Preparedness, has developed a program called “The First 12 Minutes.” This is an innovative community active … Continue reading →
There are the customary ways to make money — car washes, mowing lawns, babysitting, bake sales, et al. — and then there are the fun ways of bringing the whole community together and raising funds for a worthy cause — … Continue reading →
There’s a favorite saying that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Municipal police departments across the nation thankfully don’t fall into that category as they’ve been coming up with … Continue reading →
