Public Safety Challenges Research Articles

Evolving Dynamics of Higher Education Institutions and Their Cities (1980-2020)

This research examines the significance of higher education institutions (HEIs) as anchors in their host cities and their community engagement strategies from 1980 to 2020. By examining four case studies of urban-based universities that are members of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) across diverse geographical and socio-economic contexts, this study analyzes the impact of anchor strategies on local communities, economic growth, and urban revitalization. Two public institutions—Rutgers University-Newark (RU-N) and the University of Pretoria (Mamelodi Campus, South Africa)—and two private institutions—Syracuse University (S.U.) and the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)—comprise the four selected institutions. Comparative analysis of the case studies reveals that effective anchor strategies frequently involve multidimensional approaches that address their respective cities' social, economic, and public safety challenges. In addition, I identify the key factors contributing to the efficacy of anchor strategies, such as strong leadership, stakeholder collaboration, and maximizing the role of foundations and long-term vision. The findings of my study highlight the significance of universities as significant agents of urban change in guiding policymakers, urban planners, and higher education administrators who seek to harness the potential of universities in shaping sustainable and inclusive community engagement. My findings highlight the interplay between universities and their environments rooted in their host cities.

Advanced Surveillance System with Encrypted Alerts and Privacy Enhancement

The proposed project "Advanced Surveillance System with Encrypted Alerts and Privacy Enhancement" addresses the critical need to increase public safety through a sophisticated security surveillance system. This multi-faceted system integrates core functions including real-time object detection, encrypted image capture, secure email alerts and comprehensive security measures. Different algorithms are used for face detection, which allows the system to continuously evolve and improve its object detection capabilities and adapt to real-world scenarios. The primary goal is to identify specific objects in public spaces and thus contribute to safer communities. The project further prioritizes the protection of captured and transmitted data, implementing strict security measures to protect against attempts to hack email accounts and decrypt images. This project represents a significant leap forward in security and surveillance, offering a versatile and adaptable solution designed to effectively address evolving public safety challenges.. Keywords — Encryption, Decryption, Cryptography, Object Detection, RNS, Machine learning algorithms.

There goes the neighborhood? The public safety enhancing effects of a mobile harm reduction intervention

BackgroundBuprenorphine is a gold-standard treatment for opioid use disorders, but most people with these disorders do not access it. Barriers to treatment access may be diminished by low-threshold mobile treatment programs but concern regarding their impact on local public safety challenges their adoption. MethodsThis quasi-experimental study uses difference-in-differences analyses to measure the impact of four mobile buprenorphine clinics in Pittsburgh on neighborhood arrest rates. The study period spans 2018 to 2022, with a pre-intervention period of 11 to 12 quarters and a post-intervention period of 7 to 8 quarters (dependent on neighborhood). A treatment group of 84 census block groups in the areas surrounding clinics during the time period after their establishment were compared to a control group of city census blocks not within one mile of a clinic plus treated block groups in the two years prior to clinic establishment. Outcome variables include drug, non-drug, and total arrests, measured quarterly per 100 in population. ResultsCompared to block groups further than 1 mile from a clinic, arrests fell by 34.13 % (b = −0.358, 95 % CI = −0.557, −0.158), drug arrests by 33.85 % (b = −0.087, 95 % CI = −0.151, −0.023), and non-drug related arrests by 22.29 % (b = −0.179, 95 % CI = −0.302, −0.057). Drug arrests declined significantly on days when the clinics were not present (b = −0.015, 95 % CI = −0.025, −0.006), with no significant change on clinic operational days (b = −0.002, 95 % CI = −0.016, −0.013). Total arrests declined significantly on days when clinics were and were not present (b = −0.045, 95 % CI = −0.078, −0.012; and b = −0.052, CI = −0.082, −0.023, respectively). ConclusionsMobile clinics providing medication for opioid use disorders were associated with reduced neighborhood arrest rates. Expansion of mobile services could promote health equity and public safety.

Nanofibrous Dressing with Nanocomposite Monoporous Microspheres for Chemodynamic Antibacterial Therapy and Wound Healing.

The excessive use of antibiotics and consequent bacterial resistance have emerged as crucial public safety challenges for humanity. As a promising antibacterial treatment, using reactive oxygen species (ROS) can effectively address this problem and has the advantages of being highly efficient and having low toxicity. Herein, electrospinning and electrospraying were employed to fabricate magnesium oxide (MgO)-based nanoparticle composited polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibrous dressings for the chemodynamic treatment of bacteria-infected wounds. By utilizing electrospraying, erythrocyte-like monoporous PCL microspheres incorporating silver (Ag)- and copper (Cu)-doped MgO nanoparticles were generated, and the unique microsphere-filament structure enabled efficient anchoring on nanofibers. The composite dressings produced high levels of ROS, as confirmed by the 2,7-dichloriflurescin fluorescent probe. The sustained generation of ROS resulted in efficient glutathione oxidation and a remarkable bacterial killing rate of approximately 99% against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). These dressings were found to be effective at treating externally infected wounds. The unique properties of these composite nanofibrous dressings suggest great potential for their use in the medical treatment of bacteria-infected injuries.

The Climatology, Vulnerability, and Public Perceptions Associated with Overlapping Tornado and Flash Flood Warnings in a Portion of the Southeast United States

Abstract Simultaneous and overlapping tornadoes and flash floods are a meteorological hazard with complex societal implications as, when issued at the same time, tornado and flash flood warnings provide conflicting public safety advice. This work assessed potential tornado and flash flood (TORFF) events in a portion of the Southeast from an interdisciplinary perspective with a focus on the climatology, vulnerability, and public perceptions surrounding these hazards. Our results suggest that, in addition to the conflicting warning advice, TORFFs present a challenge to the public because they can occur at night or in cool seasons when they are least expected, though they are most common in spring. Also, the storms causing TORFFs are often not clearly organized, causing a forecast and communication challenge. The public responding to the tornado and flash flood warnings in our study area is more vulnerable to TORFFs than those in other areas and may lack vehicles and structures to respond safely to one or both hazard threats. Administered survey results suggest that many believe they know what protective actions to take in a TORFF, though they may not believe they are likely in their area. Those that believe they are likely are also more likely to feel prepared to respond. Many climatology and vulnerability characteristics vary between, and at times within, NWS county warning areas, highlighting the different communication and preparation needs across the region. Approximately a quarter of flash flood and tornado warnings overlap in the region for an average of 31 min. The frequency of TORFFs and their associated public safety challenges warrant continued investigation. Significance Statement The purpose of this work is to increase our understanding of overlapping tornado and flash flood events by studying them from a multidisciplinary perspective. We found that residents in the southeastern United States are especially vulnerable to overlapping tornado and flash floods. This vulnerability is heightened by the climatology of overlapping tornado and flash floods because they can occur when they are unexpected, for example, at night or in the winter, and the public perceptions of overlapping tornado and flash floods, which is that they may not be likely in their area. These findings are important because much of the Southeast includes a population vulnerable to overlapping tornado and flash floods who may be underestimating their risk, and therefore may be unprepared for an event that requires critical decision-making.

Supply chain emerging aspects and future directions in the age of COVID-19: A systematic review

Not only has the COVID-19 outbreak brought about public safety challenges, but there has also been a major disruption in the business world that impacts one and all from small to large businesses. During This pandemic, supply chains (SCs) have witnessed disruptions, and this has inspired the interest of this paper. Therefore, the objective of the paper is to address two research questions pertaining to exploring the emerging SC aspects in the age of COVID-19 and future directions of SCs. To achieve this objective, a methodology is developed entailing three steps as follows. First, data is collected and included documents are identified through PRISMA strategy. Second, document analytics is performed using the web-interface of bibliometrix package in R software,the shiny app. Third, the research questions are addressed accordingly. The results showed that the most prominent terms related to SCs include supply chain disruptions, supply chain management,supply chain resilience, viability, and flexibility. Consequently, the first research question is approached in which the aspects of SC disruptions, resilient SC, viable SC,Sustainable SC, and SC management, are addressed. With more focus on building resilient SC in the short-term to recover from disruptions, viable SC can be created in the long-term perspective, which eventually build sustainable SC accordingly. Subsequently, considering these aspects enable successful SC management. Additionally, the future directions are explored including the transformation from globalization to regionalization perspective, focus on digitalization, need for holding more inventory, managing SCs for high resilience, more dependence on operations research and business analytics, and reconsideration of food SCs. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by providing insightful research agenda to scholars and practitioners concerned in exploring more of the influences of the current pandemic on SCs.

Take steps to address public safety challenges common among international students

International students present unique challenges for campus public safety units. In a webinar for the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, Ed Book, chief of police, behavioral intervention team chair, and emergency manager at Santa Fe College in Florida; and Angelica Suarez, international student services coordinator at Santa Fe, explained the strategies they use to support these students and meet their needs.

Multisubstance-Using Probationers and the Odds of Arrest While in the Community.

Failed drug tests commonly lead to technical violations and revocation hearings for probationers. The current study extends these observations by examining whether multisubstance-using probationers also have increased odds of arrest in the community. This is important as multisubstance-using probationers may present unique public safety challenges to community corrections agencies and require intensive treatment resources and additional monitoring. Using data from a county-level probation cohort (N = 2,257) from 2009 to 2010, a series of logistic regression analyses estimated the effects of multisubstance use on the odds of being arrested for a new offense while in the community. The findings revealed that multisubstance use and the frequency of multisubstance use increased the odds of arrest while on probation when compared with single-substance users. We discuss how agencies may best supervise multisubstance-using probationers and suggest directions for further examination.

Address public safety challenges of international students on campus

International students present unique challenges for campus public safety units. In a webinar for the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, Ed Book, chief of police, behavioral intervention team chair, and emergency manager at Santa Fe College in Florida; and Angelica Suarez, international student services coordinator at Santa Fe, explained the strategies they use to support these students and meet their needs.