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March 29 marks National Vietnam War Veterans Day
Kristin Brandenburg Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityMarch 29 marks the second anniversary of the creation of National Vietnam War Veterans Day — a date that was officially signed into law by President Trump on March 28, 2017, by way of the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017. March 29 is significant to the Vietnam War, as it marks the date on which the last U.S. combat troops — including the POWs who were being held in North Vietnam — were withdrawn from the Southeast Asia Theater and returned to American soil in 1973. Officially, March 29, 1973, is the day the Military Assistance Command Vietnam was deactivated.
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Most school safety solutions, including arming teachers, remain highly…
Michelle R. Matisons EducationEveryone seems to have a solution for safer public schools, but whose vision will guide the sweeping changes required for real school security? The National Rifle Association (NRA) or the National Education Association (NEA)? Last fall, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, who also chairs the Federal Commission on School Safety, claimed she does not automatically favor federally mandated teacher weapons training. Instead, she describes the arming of classroom teachers as a "personal choice" for individual schools districts. Let's be clear here: armed teachers are not exactly new. But the national climate requires more school districts to tackle the issue of safety head-on.
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Don’t get shot: Interacting with police at home
Eric Lamberson Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityOn Jan. 4, a Knox County, Tennessee, sheriff's deputy was performing a security check in response to a home alarm. The deputy’s bodycam shows him examining the property, and as he approached a rear door on the house the homeowner yanked open the door pointing a pistol at the deputy. The deputy fired one shot without hitting the homeowner. Although uninjured, you can hear the homeowner ask: "Why did you shoot me?" Well, duh! You yanked open a door and pointed a pistol at the deputy — that’s why. In the end, no one got hurt and everything turned out fine; however, this incident could have ended very differently.
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Caution urged for several popular spring destinations
Bambi Majumdar Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementIt has been a cold and unreasonably long winter. Americans are ready to shed the cumbersome winter layers and head to out picture-perfect destinations to enjoy some sun and sand. Mexico and the Caribbean are popular choices, but this year they might not enjoy the same patronage from U.S tourists. The U.S. government has issued travel advisories for areas of both destinations. With spring breaks already underway in some areas of the country, this has impacted travel plans in some cases.
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6 tips for a successful telecommuting arrangement
D. Albert Brannen Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementTelecommuting takes many forms, including remote workers, virtual employees, multisite employees, or those who are just considered "working from home" — all terms used to describe an employee whose primary work is conducted away from your primary worksite. No matter the form, telecommuting has many benefits for both businesses and employees. Despite the positives, telecommuting creates unique management challenges. Launching your workers away from the home base takes thoughtful preparation, and you can take some simple steps to minimize the legal risks created by telecommuting employees.
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Space Force plans hit funding, leadership problems
Miranda Y. Brumbaugh Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityIn August 2018, President Trump announced that the United States armed forces would gain a new branch — the United States Space Force. The use of the Space Force is intended for space warfare. While this concept sounds like an episode of "Doctor Who," the U.S. would not be the first country to pioneer a space force. Yet, proceeding with the United States Space Force may not be as turnkey as the presidential administration would make it seem, due to hiccups with financing and leadership.
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Largest US bank divests from private prisons
Michelle R. Matisons Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityJPMorgan Chase, the U.S.' largest bank with assets close to $3 trillion and a 2018 income of $41 billion, is no longer funding private prison companies. Last week, the financial heavyweight announced it will stop bankrolling GEO Group and CoreCivic, the largest builders of private prisons. This is a direct result of an activist campaign involving a coalition of organizations, all opposing immigrant detention in private facilities. It is estimated that up to 70 percent of all immigrant detention facilities are private. These facilities have long been criticized for being largely unregulated — unlike state-run facilities.
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Pistol-mounted lights — a solution in search of a problem?
Eric Lamberson Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityA Denver police officer faced a 10-day suspension for accidentally firing his weapon nearly striking a suspect. Officer Asher Rose accidentally pulled the trigger of his pistol while trying to turn on his pistol-mounted light. Officer Rose was attempting to use his light to illuminate a suspect hiding under a truck when he fired a bullet that hit a rear tire inches away from the suspect’s head. We just started our sixth year of low-light classes and we have had several police officers attend our classes and practice sessions — some are issued pistols with mounted lights. These officers did very well; however, I generally don’t believe that issuing pistol mounted flashlights to police officers is a good policy.
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Drone usage becomes more prevalent in police work
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityIn 2018, technology futurist Gray Scott predicted that, within in the next five years, drones are going to be very common everywhere in the U.S. Police surveillance via drones will be the norm, despite detractors who call it an intrusion of privacy. Gartner has predicted that drone sales will generate $11.2 billion in revenue by 2020. Before we explore why drones are the future, it is important to understand how drones can affect and aid police work.
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Safety tips for real estate professionals meeting with buyers or showing…
Terri Williams Facilities & GroundsIn 2018, 67 percent of real estate professionals experienced a situation that made them fear for their personal safety or the safety of their personal information, according to the 2018 Member Safety Report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). In fact, 28 percent of respondents reported that they feel unsafe every few months. According to Mark Leetch, senior risk control consultant at CBIZ Inc., this is a very real problem. "Realtors face the exposure of sexual assault, robbery, and even being murdered," he says.
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