Public Safety
Arkansas declines to release police officer database, preventing public oversight of problem cops
When new officials took on the oversight of Arkansas law enforcement officers under Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders early this year, they made keeping bad cops off the street a focus. They said they adopted new processes and safeguards intended to prevent problem officers from hopping from department to department and have even looked at individuals […]
Arkansas Corrections Board chair responds to criticism from governor, attorney general
UPDATE: This story was updated at 2:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, with additional information about Magness’ position on the PROTECT Act. The Arkansas Board of Corrections rejected a request to expand prison capacity this month because of severe staffing shortages and existing crowding, board Chairman Benny Magness says in a Nov. 20 letter […]
Cash bail policies are under fresh scrutiny
States can’t figure out what to do about cash bail. The system — in which an arrested suspect pays cash to avoid sitting in jail until their court date and gets the money back when they appear — is deeply entrenched in the nation’s history as a way to ensure defendants return to face justice. […]
Less driving but more deaths: Spike in traffic fatalities puzzles lawmakers
Traffic deaths are lingering near historic highs in most states despite less driving overall, prompting policymakers to consider deploying more police or installing automated monitoring such as speed cameras to curb speeding and reckless driving. People are driving fewer miles than they were in 2019, but more are dying on roadways. Traffic deaths spiked 18% […]