Cities

In Wake of Riots, British PM Proposes Social Media Ban

Sun, 2011-08-21 23:57 — Kathy Gilbeaux

CNN - August 11, 2011

Suspected rioter David O'Neill leaves court Thursday in London after posting bail on charges, including aggravated violence.

British Prime Minister David Cameron thinks he's found some culprits to blame in the recent riots that have rocked London and other cities -- Facebook and Twitter.

Saying the "free flow of information" can sometimes be a problem, Cameron's government has summoned those two social-networking sites, as well as Research In Motion, makers of the BlackBerry, for a meeting to discuss their roles during the violent outbreaks.

"Everyone watching these horrific actions will be struck by how they were organized via social media," Cameron said Thursday during an address to Parliament. "Free flow of information can be used for good. But it can also be used for ill. And when people are using social media for violence, we need to stop them."

Cameron said that government officials are working with authorities "to look at whether it would be right to stop people communicating via these websites and services when we know they are plotting violence, disorder and criminality."

Country / Region Tags:

General Topic Tags:

Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?:

Solutions

Problem

Read more about In Wake of Riots, British PM Proposes Social Media Ban
Log in or register to post comments

What Los Angeles Can Teach the UK on Riot Control

Sun, 2011-08-21 23:44 — Kathy Gilbeaux

BBC News - August 12, 2011

Widespread violence broke out across Los Angeles in 1992 following the Rodney King trial

Prime Minister David Cameron is to consult US "supercop" Bill Bratton on how to deal with city rioting. Mr Bratton, the former New York and Los Angeles police chief, is credited with dramatically reducing crime after the 1992 riots in LA.

The burning buildings, looting, and clashes with police in Britain this week have brought back some vivid memories in Los Angeles.

In 1992, riots sparked by a row over racism spread across the city and for six days the fires burned and the violence raged.

Until a week ago they were the defining images of urban rioting etched on the public memory here and around the world.

Now David Cameron is turning to the man who is credited with restoring law and order in the city - former LAPD chief Bill Bratton - dubbed a "US Supercop" by the British newspapers.

Mr Bratton, having earlier served as the head of the NYPD in New York, took over the LAPD a decade after the 1992 riots.

Country / Region Tags:

General Topic Tags:

Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?:

Solutions

Problem

Read more about What Los Angeles Can Teach the UK on Riot Control
Log in or register to post comments

Chicago Announces $40 Million Building Retrofit Program

Thu, 2011-07-14 11:22 — Kathy Gilbeaux

Green Roof on Chicago's City Hall

energyboom.com - July 13, 2011

After the monthly board meeting of the Public Buildings Commission of Chicago, the city's mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the launch of the Guaranteed Energy Performance Contracting program, a new energy efficiency initiative.

The program plans to retrofit as many as 100 of the city's public buildings through upgrades in lighting, mechanical retrofits, and inserting better water conservation technology.

Cumulatively, the initiative will retrofit 6.5 million square feet of office space; as a result, the program is expected to create almost 375 direct jobs and 1,100 manufacturing and related jobs. Once complete, the energy retrofits will save tax payers an estimated $4 million to $5.7 million annually.

Country / Region Tags:

General Topic Tags:

Sustainable Development

Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?:

Solutions

Read more about Chicago Announces $40 Million Building Retrofit Program
Log in or register to post comments

Switching The Energy Economy Of San Antonio

Mon, 2011-07-11 15:47 — Kathy Gilbeaux

NPR - July 8, 2011

San Antonio's mayor says he wants to make the city a hub for alternative and renewable energy businesses. Ira Flatow and guests discuss how a city can change its energy habits. Plus, smart meters let utilities know how much energy a house is using minute by minute. Who should own the data? Can consumers use the info to save money?

IRA FLATOW, host: This is SCIENCE FRIDAY, I'm Ira Flatow. We're in San Antonio this week, broadcasting live from the Witte Museum here, and one thought keeps popping into my mind: I hope the air conditioning keeps working.

(SOUNDBITE OF LAUGHTER)

FLATOW: Because here in Texas, it's July, and it's really hot outside. The mercury is hovering around 100, as it does almost every day in the summer. A blackout like the one we had in the Northeast a few years ago or the one they had in Texas earlier this year could really be deadly this time of the year.

Managing the electricity grid and keeping those air conditioners humming can be a challenge for electricity providers, and are sure to get even more complicated when renewable energy is added to the mix, something San Antonio is planning to do.

Country / Region Tags:

General Topic Tags:

Sustainable Development

Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?:

Solutions