Science

Residents turn detective to fight crime

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07fp90n?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Tom Colls

BBC

2 July 2019

Podcast / Over 15 Minutes

A U.S. company, Flock Safety, has developed a security and surveillance system that allows residents to monitor the color, model, and license plate of every car entering their neighborhood. The system uses car license plate cameras that aren’t monitored by the local police or governments, rather, by residents themselves, to help deter crime. While the system has shown success to the tune of an average of two crimes solved every day, it also raises questions around the problematic nature of surveillance culture, privacy, and profiting off of safety and fear.

In Mexico, New Groups Offer Aid To A Young Generation Of Deported DREAMers

https://www.npr.org/2019/05/26/725675214/in-mexico-new-groups-offer-aid-to-a-young-generation-of-deported-dreamers?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Lulu Garcia-Navarro

Peter Breslow

NPR

26 May 2019

Radio / 5-15 Minutes

A new start-up in Mexico City called Hola Code is giving DREAMers software training, job counseling, and job placement with over 100 partnering companies. Most of these individuals have spent most of their lives in the United States, but upon return to Mexico voluntarily or by force in the last few years have faced challenges in finding their place in the culture and communities. Beyond career services, Hola Code also provides students with food, mental health support, exercise classes, and banking services throughout the duration of the program.

Wildfire escape routes? There's (almost) an app for that.

https://www.hcn.org/issues/51.10/technology-wildfire-escape-routes-theres-almost-an-app-for-that?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Krista Langlois

High Country News

23 May 2019

Text / 800-1500 Words

Scientists and engineers in Colorado are developing an app that can help firefighters determine the safest routes to safety during wildfires. The app, currently in development, was created with data from another trail and hike tracking app and applied to analyze how long it would take a firefighter – given their unique equipment and uniforms – to escape wildfire.

A.I. Took a Test to Detect Lung Cancer. It Got an A.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/20/health/cancer-artificial-intelligence-ct-scans.html?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Denise Grady

The New York Times

20 May 2019

Text / 800-1500 Words

For doctors, reading CT scans can be time consuming and the readings aren't always accurate. In a possible move towards better efficiency, researchers from Google are collaborating with several medical centers to use artificial intelligence to interpret hard-to-read scans such as those that indicate pneumonia, cancer or a wrist fracture.

Oakland's 'Pothole Vigilantes' Take Street Repairs Into Their Own Hands

https://www.kqed.org/news/11748312/oaklands-pothole-vigilantes-take-street-repairs-into-their-own-hands?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Sonja Hutson

KQED

20 May 2019

Radio / Under 3 Minutes

In Oakland, CA, two men deemed the Pothole Vigilantes have paired up to fix every pothole in the city. Made possible by crowdfunding the venture, the two have now developed public meetups to teach others how to fix potholes themselves. This has caught the attention of city officials, who, partly because of this effort, have passed a $100 million plan to repave Oakland streets.

Once Enemies, Now Police Join Forces With Violence Data Activists

https://www.ozy.com/fast-forward/once-enemies-now-police-join-forces-with-violence-data-activists/94208?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Molly Fosco

OZY

20 May 2019

Multi-Media / 800-1500 Words

Across the United States, tech platforms and organizations are developing ways to use data in a way that decreases police violence. They range in purpose – one maps instances of police violence, while another publishes the frequency police use force and the races of those involved. And while they’ve received some opposition, many have actually partnered with police departments to use the data to better connect with their communities and decrease the use of violence and force.