Carlo Catalogna’s Post

New article with Dr. Bill O'Grady on the Ontario Safe Streets Act: https://lnkd.in/g5nQYdrp This article is based on an analysis of secondary statistics obtained from the Toronto Police Service (TPS) and the Office of the Ontario Attorney General related to the Ontario Safe Streets Act (OSSA). The act came into effect in 2000 and targeted aggressive panhandling; solicitation of a captive audience; and the unsafe disposal of used condoms, needles, and broken glass. Statistics show that OSSA tickets rose steadily in Toronto from 2000 to 2012 and then fell abruptly from 2013 to 2021. We challenge the notion that this drop in ticketing was due to the deterrent effect of this law, as the TPS and the Office of the Attorney General have proposed, because there are no data to support this assumption. To effectively explain this drop in tickets, the following five factors need to be considered: (1) changes in the number of TPS officers per 100,000 population from 2000 to 2021; (2) the disbandment of the Strategic Targeted Enforcement Measures Unit in 2012; (3) changes in tickets issued for all Highway Traffic Act violations in Ontario in the past 10 years; (4) changes in OSSA ticketing practices in Ontario more generally; and (5) the elimination of police street checks in Ontario. The article concludes by noting that the decline will be seen by critics as a positive development, even if it only reflects acceptance of the pointlessness of ticketing those with no means to pay, and by suggesting that now may be the time to go further and repeal the OSSA, given that it unfairly targets marginalized citizens, including people experiencing homelessness.

Ground Truth in the Digital Age: Using Location-Based Analytics to Safeguard Communities Are we entering a new phase where location-based interventions, grounded in both historical and real-time data, can truly protect our communities? With the rise of advanced analytics tools, we now have the ability to act quickly and effectively. By using historical hotspot data to inform where issues have previously occurred and creating dynamic hotspots based on real-time information—like sudden spikes in social media activity in a specific area or unexpected traffic congestion—we can anticipate and address risks before they escalate. The groundwork for this proactive approach is already being laid. The UK Government’s recent £66m plan to tackle anti-social behaviour nationwide highlights the power of timely, data-driven action to address issues that could lead to bigger safety concerns. Additionally, the VRU (Violence Reduction Unit) funding aimed at reducing serious violence plays a key role in this strategy. This funding empowers areas most affected by violent crime to use real-time intelligence and location-based data to guide their efforts. By surfacing both historical data to inform hotspots and creating dynamic hotspots that can be quickly synthesised and communicated, we may be on the verge of a significant step-change in crime prevention. This approach not only informs police actions but can help other agencies "design out crime" more effectively, allowing them to act strategically and respond to immediate risks—like those seen during the summer unrest—with greater precision. Policing investment can deliver enhanced provision by local authorities now, utilising existing investment. At a time when cash strapped councils want to deliver more with limited budgets, joined up thinking must be part of the answer. These are important discussions happening right now. If you’re reading this from a Police force or a public body and want to learn more about how these insights can enhance your community safety efforts, please reach out. Let’s work together to create safer, more resilient communities. Learn more about the ASB initiative here. https://lnkd.in/eXgVaUd7 Learn more about the Serious Violence Funding Allocations here. https://lnkd.in/eVeK67zc #PublicSafety #DataDriven #CommunitySafety #PolicingInnovation #LocationAnalytics #ViolenceReduction #CrimePrevention #GroundTruth

Take your basic security check one step further and use word blocks to note body position and sign of life for high risk inmates

Suppose your agency previously used a guard tour system before upgrading to an advanced inmate tracking technology system. In that case, you may be wondering: Can I mount Hard Tags where the iButtons were once located? 🤔 The answer is: sometimes Yes, and sometimes No. How is that possible? We break it down in the blog below. 👇 #OneTeamOneMission

Can anyone in the 911 community analyze their agencies enforcement activities and compare it to crash data? Maybe the 911 community has some data that could be collected and studied. If you have some, let me know!

INEGI [MX National Institute of Ststistics Geography and Informatics] Press release number 562/24 September 19, 2024 “ NATIONAL SURVEY OF VICTIMIZATION AND PERCEPTION ABOUT PUBLIC SECURITY (ENVIPE) 2024” • In 2023, 27.5% of households in Mexico had at least one or one of their members as a victim of the crime. • There were 21.9 million victims aged 18 and over. The crime prevalence rate it was 23,323 victims per 100,000 inhabitants, a higher figure compared to 2022. • The most frequent crimes were fraud, robbery or assault on the street or public transport and extortion. • 31.3 million crimes occurred: 92.9% were not reported or the authority did not initiate a research folder. This sub-registration is called hidden figure or black figure.” https://lnkd.in/gV79hyaU

Check out my recent piece on a balanced approach to this very difficult issue where there is a public safety imperative on both sides of the equation.

The Quest ECSS Human Trafficking   Mission Report 010325   Location:  Between cities  Controlled: City officials Situation: The building is a standalone bamboo structure with no indoor plumbing. It is located among seven similar buildings, each hosting different types of businesses. Customers come to this area at all hours. Although police provide general protection for the area, they are not stationed nearby. Two guards roam around the building, which houses 21 girls aged 9 to 14 in poor condition. The location is accessible by a single road, with a side road primarily used by farmers that leads to smaller villages. Plan: Three open-bed trucks with canvas-covered backs will be used to transport the girls. Four teammates will ride in the back of these trucks to calm the girls during the extraction. Seventeen teammates on motorbikes will provide cover at the front and rear of the convoy, as the area is considered high-risk. Nurses will accompany the group to address immediate medical needs, as no doctors were available to assist. The trucks, being common in the area, should not attract attention. One truck will approach the front of the building, carrying four teammates who will neutralize the guards quietly and signal when the area is secure. Once the all-clear is given, the remaining trucks will arrive, and the girls will be carefully escorted to the vehicles. They will then be taken to a safe house for initial medical care and a briefing about their future. If everything proceeds smoothly, they will travel several hours to their new home, where they can begin a new life. Execution: The plan was carried out successfully without setting off any alarms. The guards were subdued, and the girls were safely extracted. Their condition was worse than anticipated, but the team was prepared for this possibility. The girls spent two days at the safe house, receiving care and learning about what lay ahead. Afterward, they were transported in a large bus to their new home, where they could start their new lives in a safe and supportive environment. Total time in and out was 7 minutes. Result:  Rescued: 21 Previous total: 3417 Grand Total: 3468

In 2023, a study conducted by the Police Executive Research Forum highlighted the importance of specialized pursuit training for officers and limiting the types of cases in which high-speed chases are undertaken. The study also recommended implementing technology such as StarChase, where a GPS tracker can be launched from police cruisers and attached to the subject's car, potentially eliminating the need for a dangerous pursuit. StarChase technology can benefit your agency and help protect the public you serve while apprehending offenders. Let's work together to make our communities safer while saving lives. #policechief #sheriff #pursuit #policetraining #technology

📣Calling all advocates: Support the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act Have you experienced challenges with Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? Have you been overpaid by the federal government? Muscular Dystrophy Association wants to hear your story! Share your experiences with outdated asset limits, loss/reduction of benefits, limiting work to keep SSI, and more. Share your story here: https://lnkd.in/dGX8UMqZ. #MDA #Advocacy #SSI