This hurricane season has already been one of the most destructive on record. Verizon is stepping up its efforts to support public safety and relief efforts in storm-battered states. Most importantly, the company is focused on repairing damaged communications networks and infrastructure to help governments focus on other restoration efforts.

State CIOs and technology industry leaders will gather in Austin next week for the NASCIO 2017 Annual Conference in Austin, Texas. State CIOs and other government officials will be able to exchange best practices, network, and learn about the latest technology that improves state services and citizen satisfaction.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology First Responders Group is working with the Lower Colorado River Authority in Texas to develop Internet of Things sensors and geo-targeting alerts that will enable faster reporting of flood conditions so that first responders can better respond to problem areas.

Coming out of a Smart Cities Council Grant win in February, the city of Austin recently hosted a full-day readiness workshop with city leaders, staff, and key community members to tackle issues of housing, mobility, and economic development for the city’s underserved communities.

The Texas state senate is considering a bill that would fund a high school program that would allow technology companies to partner with schools to teach students relevant technical skills.

Chris Connors, CEO of Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), stressed the importance of having zero false alerts with shot detection technology. SDS’s solution, dubbed the Guardian Indoor Active Shooter Detection System, boasts zero false alerts during its more than 16 million hours of use across the world. “It’s a major event when the sensor goes off, and we have to be right every time,” Connors said.

Ten counties in Texas have purchased new voting systems since mid-December, showing preference for centralized applications and user-friendly software that make poll workers’ jobs easier.

The 2017 Dodge Charger Pursuit law enforcement vehicle will have technology that detects movement behind the vehicle through the use of its rear-facing camera and radar. The new technology is designed to help police avoid a dangerous ambush situation while in their vehicles.

Over the next year, the city of San Antonio will deploy sensors that monitor both foot traffic and vehicle traffic. In late January, Mayor Ivy Taylor announced that her city was selected for the Envision America smart city initiative, which helps cities develop major Internet of Things projects.

Over the past few years, police departments have moved away from traditional surveying instruments and have adopted 3-D scanners to re-create places where homicides, car accidents, and sexual assaults occurred.