The anti-drunk driving organization, MADD, is pushing for $60 million in federal funding to research technology that would prevent any car from starting if the driver is intoxicated. These goal of such systems standard in all cars, and possibly set at the threshold level of “any” alcohol, are prompting concerns that MADD has veered into being a neo-prohibitionist organization. [Read more…]
New Laws May Be Slowing Prescription Drug Trade
New laws aimed at slowing the rate of prescription drug overdoses and the illegal drug trade may already be having a fairly significant effect. These new laws first took effect on September 1, only two months ago. But the Houston Chronicle is already reporting improvements. [Read more…]
Texas City Jails Provide Inadequate Functionality
City jails across Texas have been criticized for years for falling short in areas of basic requirements and functionality. Issues like lack of quality food, medical care, lack of showering facilities, and at least one report of leaving detainees alone in the jail with a cell phone in case of emergency have all made the headlines. [Read more…]
Austin Police Chief Pushing For New Drunk Driving Laws
The police chief in Austin is suggesting the “broken” Texas DWI system can be solved by adding more laws. That’s right, he states that adding another crime called Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) could solve some problems that are plaguing the system. [Read more…]
Governor Perry Proposing Tougher Sex Offender Laws
Governor Rick Perry announced this week that he is proposing tighter restrictions on sex offenders. No matter how the system seems to lighten up on criminal offenses overtime, sex offenses are not likely to be included. [Read more…]
Drug Traffickers Using the US Mail
Sometimes it’s just easier to put something in the mail. Apparently this isn’t only true for your bills, but also controlled substances. According to the Houston Chronicle, drug traffickers are turning to the mail system more and more often with agents in Houston intercepting 15 packages in the last 60 days. [Read more…]
Dallas Police Shake-Up In Light of Misconduct Accusations
Top Dallas law enforcement officials are trying to tighten the reigns on new, inexperienced police officers while saving face in the midst of national attention for at least one case of misconduct. As the Dallas Morning News reports, the hiring of 1,200 officers in recent years may be playing a role in the influx of problem-cops. [Read more…]
Texas Cracking Down on Driving While Impaired on Prescription Drugs
Over the past few decades, incidences of prescription drug abuse have skyrocketed. People are turning towards what would otherwise be legal substances to get their highs, often going to extremes to get the prescriptions. But whether or not that prescription is written to you, it is still illegal to get behind the wheel if you are impaired by drugs—any drugs. [Read more…]
Texas Theft Charges – College Prank Gone Wrong?
Fifteen college freshmen from Texas Tech spent a night in jail recently and now face serious criminal charges. All fifteen are rushing the same fraternity, leading some to wonder if the act was related to hazing or some other sort of prank. Now, however, no one is laughing and the potential for jail time looms overhead. [Read more…]
Greenville, TX Gets Police License Plate Scanners
Greenville, a northeast suburb of Dallas is the latest city to acquire a new automatic license plate scanning systems for their police department. This system will be used by the police department to search for stolen cars, and identify drivers and cars flagged in the database as wanted by the police. [Read more…]
