Weedoo Boats: Trusted by municipalities worldwide for eco-friendly aquatic management equipment
Weedoo Boats is a global leader in the manufacturing of aquatic weed management equipment, trusted by federal agencies and municipalities alike. Operating in 41 states and 17 countries, Weedoo has established a proven reputation for innovation and environmental responsibility by … More from our cover sponsor →
Anti-theft program protects construction sites
An anti-theft program spearheaded by a police department in Collier County, Fla., has earned national recognition for reducing losses at construction sites. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office Construction Site Watch Program, launched in November 2021, was recently named the Outstanding … Continue reading →
Brockton, Mass., sees a decrease in crime through statewide initiative
To reduce street violence, prevent illegal drug distribution and improve the quality of life for its residents, the city of Brockton, Mass., was part of the statewide summer safety initiative funded by the Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant … Continue reading →
The Municipal Top 10: Which U.S. cities are flourishing?
Since 2020, municipalities across the country have been strained by COVID-19 and inflation, a national housing shortage and supply chain hiccups. Cities’ financial spreadsheets remain balanced between these challenges and the advantages of low unemployment and pandemic relief funds. The … Continue reading →
Utah cities draw name inspiration from ancient sources
Utahns are generally unassuming, straightforward folks, but when it comes to their naming the state’s towns and villages — often more than once — they can be a profoundly head-scratching lot. Not surprisingly, given Utah’s history, three significant etymological sources … Continue reading →
How prepared is your city for an active shooter incident?
It seems not a day goes by without hearing of another recent mass shooting. No place is immune. Aside from schools, churches, malls, gyms, clubs, restaurants, workplaces and even grocery stores have all been the scene of an active shooter … Continue reading →
Work faster, safer and smarter with Mr. Manhole
Several years ago, the city of Ames, Iowa, began a large-scale repair and restoration of its sanitary sewer system. The team was warned that with projects such as this, residents can get anxious when their street is shut down and … Continue reading →
Awareness efforts address e-bikes popularity
Electric bikes, or e-bikes, allow people to enjoy the outdoors even if they can’t pedal up large hills or cycle long distances. The motorized bikes’ popularity also creates new challenges for municipal law enforcement agencies. Most problems involve riders traveling … Continue reading →
Riverside named by NAFA as the greenest fleet
We hear the term “green” used for so many things these days that it might not register as the important issue it represents. But Riverside, Calif., sure knows the meaning and definition of “green,” having recently been named by the … Continue reading →
Transportation grant helps reach vulnerable people in rural West Virginia
West Virginia is a largely rural state, meaning many residents are geographically isolated. Some don’t have access to transportation. This can present a challenge to older adults and people with disabilities who need to get to and from appointments. Fortunately, … Continue reading →
On the road again: Assateague Island, Maryland
The world famous celebrities of Assateague Island, Md., should be worshiped from afar. In fact, it is illegal to do otherwise. The strict no-contact rules have been put in place to protect both visitors and residents of the 37-mile-long barrier … Continue reading →
La Crosse, Wisconsin: Beer and fish in the Driftless Region
If all a person knows about Wisconsin is the logging industry, cheese or “That ʼ70s Show,” it’s time to jump into the car and head to La Crosse. Explorer Zebulon Pike named the city after leading a group of people … Continue reading →
Police departments embrace the e-bike
With a top speed of 20 to 28 mph, an e-bike may not rival the horsepower of a patrol car, but for the law enforcement officers who ride them, they have some distinct advantages. “We can navigate the street a … Continue reading →
The Municipal Top 10: Best small college towns in America
So much goes into the decision of where to attend college. Among the considerations is where the student thinks he or she will feel comfortable: at a college in a small town, or at a university in a big city. … Continue reading →
Picture of the West: Moab, Utah
The town of Moab, Utah, has no shortage of stunning vistas that attract thousands of tourists a year. Its winning combination of small-resort-town hospitality, beautiful scenery and proximity to the Colorado River has made it one of the most sought-after … Continue reading →
Naming contests stoke interest in public fleet
There’s a Frostasaurus roaming the streets of Boulder, Colo., but city officials and residents aren’t worried. It’s one of a herd of 10 city snowplows bearing names bestowed on them this winter by Boulder elementary schoolchildren. “We wanted to engage … Continue reading →
Solutions-based telematics and fleet management for rural counties and cities
There is no “one size fits all” for smaller cities and counties, with tight budgets, aging vehicles, manual recording and inflexible “off the shelf” solutions have historically put new technology out of reach. A Michigan company aims to change that. … Continue reading →
Inflation hitting fleets hard
For municipal fleets — as for many of us — the current state of affairs of higher fuel costs, supply chain issues and now inflation has been a triple whammy, causing those responsible for managing fleets to look at things … Continue reading →
Why there’s never been a better time to make the case for vehicle sharing
Collectively, municipal fleets of all sizes have millions of dollars’ worth of under-utilized vehicles sitting in parking lots at a time when the resale value of used vehicles is at an all-time high. The COVID-19 pandemic was a once-in-a-generation disruptive … Continue reading →