Safer Communities

Stay safe during storm season

March 28, 2012

Make sure your family is prepared for storm season. Here are a few steps from the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to ensure you’re ready.

Protections for school kids become law

March 27, 2012

Each year, children die because drivers fail to obey school bus laws. That’s why the Senate led the effort this session to improve the safety of Iowa kids when they get on and off their school bus. The new law, signed by the Governor on March 16, increases fines and allows courts to send offenders to jail.

Catching criminals who prey on kids

The Senate has voted to make it easier for law enforcement to catch and punish people involved in human trafficking and child pornography.

Legislature tackles scrap metal theft

March 26, 2012

The theft of copper and other scrap metal from construction sites, homes and businesses is a national problem, including here in Iowa. Not only are businesses and individuals being robbed, this is a serious threat to public safety.

Watch your driving this weekend

March 16, 2012

From March 15-18, Iowa law enforcement will conduct this year’s special Traffic Enforcement Program (sTEP) with extra patrolling and ticketing on roads and highways. The effort to increase road safety comes after a record number of traffic fatalities in January and February. During last year’s March sTEP enforcement, 18,284 traffic citations and warnings were issued.

Nominate a hero for Governor’s Lifesaving Award

March 11, 2012

The Governor’s Lifesaving Awards Program was implemented in the 1970s to recognize Iowans who perform courageous acts in an attempt to save the life of another or have unselfishly assisted in an emergency situation. If you know firsthand of an act of heroism, consider nominating the deserving Iowan for a Governor’s Lifesaving Award. The incident [...]

Free assistance for rural law enforcement

March 10, 2012

The National Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics is offering free training and technical assistance to rural law enforcement agencies that have information sharing challenges. Practitioners in local and tribal justice agencies can learn to use technology to share critical information. The assistance has helped rural jurisdictions address topics like governance, policy development, interoperability, computer-aided [...]

Tougher school bus laws protect kids

Each year, children die because drivers fail to obey school bus laws. A bipartisan bill approved in the Senate aims to keep Iowa kids safer when getting on and off their school bus. The law would increase fines and allow courts to send offenders to jail. In addition, the Iowa Department of Transportation and the [...]

Enhancing public safety, justice for Iowans

March 9, 2012

The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the Justice Systems Budget. House File 2335 will help keep Iowans safer by funding the state agencies involved in public safety and Iowa’s justice system.  Here’s what the bill does: ** Increases help to victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault through expanded victims’ assistance grants. ** Improves safety [...]

“Move Over, Slow Down” saves lives

March 8, 2012

You’ve seen the signs along Iowa’s roadways reminding us to move over, slow down and drive attentively when passing emergency and rescue vehicles at the side of the road. Unfortunately, not all drivers heed these warnings. The deaths last year of an Iowa firefighter, tow truck operators and others responding to emergencies are painful reminders [...]