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Placer County Public Safety Articles



Image caption: Border Patrol policies deliberately channel migrants through some of the harshest desert areas in California, resulting in frequent deaths.
Border Patrol Routes Migrants Into Deadly Imperial Valley Desert

In the Imperial County desert, a volunteer group routinely maintains large barrels filled with water to help migrants traversing the California desert. As rescues increase, the longstanding immigration policies that funneled migrants to such harsh terrain deserve scrutiny.

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NV Energy to continue Resilience Corridors Project work near Kings Beach and Incline Village using helicopter

INV Energy will be continuing work related to the NV Energy Resilience Corridors Project and the Natural Disaster Protection Plan by removing hazardous trees and ground vegetation in the area northeast of Kings Beach and west of Incline Village in …

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CAL FIRE using A.I. to help prevent the spread of wild fire

As part of a pilot project in partnership with the University of San Diego’s ALERTCalifornia System, the A.I. constantly monitors more than 1,000 camera feeds in search of anomalies (such as smoke).

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Wildfire watch: Forest fuel mapping and drones represent the next wave of firefighting

Technology is furthering innovation in wildland firefighting across the west, including the Tahoe Basin — and not just in the process of extinguishing flames but in prevention of these catastrophic burns. Last fall, researchers at...

Image caption: As California's legislative session ends, lawmakers take no steps to address the state's fire insurance crisis.
Legislature Fails to Address California Fire Insurance Crisis

Legislators weren’t able to reach a compromise that helps insurers with wildfire risk while also protecting homeowners. Interest groups hope to find one in meetings this fall.

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Truckee Town Council approves 15 mph speed limit on mixed-use trails

After hearing concerns from many shared-use trail users, the Truckee Town Council approved the first reading of changes to an ordinance that would implement a 15-mph speed limit on trails.

Image caption: Non-law enforcement spending on anti-hate efforts has topped $200 million since 2021, more than any other state.
California Spends Millions to Stop Hate Crimes. Here’s How

Hate crimes were up 20 percent in California in 2022, with those against transgender, Muslim and Black people increasing especially sharply. But the state is also spending more than any other to combat such crimes, including a hotline, state commission …

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Placer approves urgency ordinance prohibiting needle exchange, distribution programs

The Placer County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an urgency ordinance prohibiting needle exchange or distribution programs in the county.

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Cyclist fight for their right to safety daily, Critical Mass demonstrations expected monthly

What started as a protest rolling into City Council’s regular meeting to oppose Caltrans’ proposed speed limit increases, has turned into something much bigger. As a result, the worldwide phenomenon, Critical Mass, has returned to the city of South Lake …

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E.coli found in water near Camp Richardson; boil water advisory in affect

E.coli bacteria was found in the water supply in an isolated area on Forest Service land in the Camp Richardson area and west of Camp Richardson.

Image caption: Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to wait for more information before signing a bill that would remove TikTok from most state smartphones.
Newsom Halts TikTok Ban, App to Stay on State Phones

A bipartisan bill to prohibit TikTok on state phones is shelved until 2024. It had breezed through the state Legislature, but the authors want to tweak the measure. It's the latest social media regulation to get stalled in California.

Image caption: In San Francisco, new police officers can now expect six-figure starting salaries, and other cities are taking similar measures.
Cities Compete to Give Police Recruits the Best Financial Deal

California cities are struggling to hire police in a tight labor market after the COVID pandemic. Some are raising by double digits and offering eye-catching bonuses.

Image caption: New COVID boosters are on the way that will help to protect against rising cases and new variants.
COVID Cases on the Rise Again: Here’s What You Need to Know

It’s a confusing time in the COVID pandemic. A new booster is on the way, but cases are rising and you might want more protection now.

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California Highway Patrol rolls out statewide electric bike safety training program

As the popularity of electric bikes continues to skyrocket, the California Highway Patrol is launching an online e-bike safety and training program to help keep commuters and recreational cyclists safe.

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Harmful algal bloom found at Indian Creek Reservoir

The Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board is urging visitors to Indian Creek Reservoir in Alpine County to stay out of the water after tests confirmed the presence of harmful algal blooms that can pose a health threat to humans …

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Auburn receives grant to protect Baltimore Ravine area from fire

The Baltimore Ravine Shaded Fuel Break project will consist of 120 acres of fuel reduction and modification. This project directly mitigates the spread of wildfire to 380 homes surrounding the Baltimore Ravine, the grant application states.

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NV County ramps up wildfire planning efforts in Truckee

On the heels of Measure T, Truckee Fire Protection District's successful tax measure to dedicate local funding for wildfire prevention, Nevada County’s Office of Emergency Services has worked to have an active presence in east County with an eye toward …

Image caption: Statements recorded by police body cameras may not substitute for an actual witness.
Police Body Cam Can’t Replace Witness Testimony, CA Supremes Rule

More California police departments are deploying body cameras. A new court ruling restricts how prosecutors can use footage of witness accounts at trial.

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Bureau of Land Management announces ambitious approach to reduce wildfire risk

The signing of the Statewide Wildland-Urban Interface Fuels Treatment Programmatic Environmental Assessment will streamline plans to protect communities, reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health.

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Auburn enters into joint operating agreement with neighboring fire agencies

The Joint Operations Agreement is a contractual arrangement that will provide a basis for increased cooperation between Placer Hills, Penryn, Newcastle and Foresthill fire protection districts and the Auburn City Fire Department by providing fire protection and emergency medical services …

Featured

A Pyrocumulus cloud generated by the Dixie Fire in July, 2021.
What is Fire 'Containment?' That and Other Terms, Explained
What does it mean when firefighters call a fire "contained?" Here's a brief guide to commonly used fire prevention terminology.
States have expansive powers to protect the health of the general public.
The State’s Broad Power to Protect Public Health, Explained
Since long before the COVID-19 pandemic, states have possessed broad authority to protect public health.
California will soon be getting a new hotline number as an alternative to 911 for mental health crises.
988, the New Mental Health Emergency Number, Explained
Here's the story behind that new service, and the original 911 number.
Mosquitos kill about 725,000 people every year, worldwide.
Taking a Bite Out of the Mosquito Population
How local government tries to control the world’s deadliest wild animal—the mosquito.
There are more than 300 community service districts in California.
Community Services Districts, Explained
Areas that the county overlooks can form their own local governments.
How Not to Feel the Burn
These groups help residents preserve their property, health and life.
Supercell storms are just one of many weather phenomena in the era of climate change.
The New Vocabulary of the Climate Change Era
As climate change causes more extreme and unusual weather, we need a new set of terms to describe the various phenomena
Though it’s the most famous, the San Andreas Fault is just one of more than 500 active faults in California.
Battening Down for the Big One
Making it through the earthquake is easy—the hard part comes later.
Many of Robert Kerbeck’s neighbors in Malibu Park lost their homes in the 2018 Woolsey Fire, which left behind lots where only chimneys still stood.
Give Your Home a Fighting Chance in a Wildfire
Wildfires are larger, more frequent, and more ferocious—so be prepared.
Thousands of homeowners have been kicked off their fire insurance policies.
California Fire Insurance Crisis: How the State Helps Homeowners
The state tries persuading insurance companies to cover homes in fire zones.
With CERT training, volunteers can learn firefighting skills.
Emergency Teamwork
With CERT training, ordinary civilians can play critical roles in protecting their communities.
View of the flooded San Lorenzo River Park Benchlands in Santa Cruz, California on New Year's Eve 2022.
Communicating During Disaster and Crisis
Recent lessons learned over days of local disaster.
Placer Couty recently grappled with the Mosquito Fire, California’s largest wildfire in 2022.
Disaster Prep: Alerts, Maps and Apps
Keep these online resources handy in case of floods, fires, quakes and other disasters.