The Weekly Briefing 🇺🇸
Officer Down
La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven, 25, was struck and killed Monday night while stopping to help victims of a rollover crash on Interstate 8 near San Diego, according to NBC 7 San Diego. Investigators say Craven had just left San Diego Central Jail when she pulled over, radioed for help, and began rendering aid before being hit in a chain-reaction collision that also killed another driver. Her department called her a “courageous, young officer” whose final act reflected her passion for helping others; Governor Gavin Newsom ordered flags at half-staff in her honor. 💙🖤💙 More here
US Marshal, Suspect Wounded
A deputy U.S. Marshal and an undocumented immigrant were wounded during an immigration enforcement operation in downtown Los Angeles on Oct. 21, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Officials said the man tried to flee after ramming his vehicle into law enforcement cars during a “targeted traffic stop,” prompting agents to open fire. The suspect was struck in the elbow, while the marshal was injured by a ricochet bullet; both were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. DHS said the man had previously escaped custody and attempted to evade arrest. 🔗 More here
Global Phone Theft Network
A New York Times investigation details how London has become a global hub for smartphone theft, with more than 80,000 phones stolen last year, many ending up overseas. Recent raids by the Metropolitan Police uncovered 2,000 stolen phones and $266,000 in cash tied to an organized network shipping devices to China and Algeria. Police say thieves—often masked and riding electric bikes—snatch phones from pedestrians before selling them to middlemen who export them abroad, where blacklisted phones can still be used. Authorities link the surge to years of police budget cuts and the ease of reselling high-end devices. The Met is now targeting the full supply chain, from street thieves to international exporters, as part of a broader effort to rebuild public confidence in policing. ☎️ More here
China’s Billion Dollar Text Scams
Chinese criminal networks have stolen more than $1 billion from Americans over the past three years through widespread text scams, The Wall Street Journal reports. The messages—often posing as toll, postal, or traffic payment notices—trick victims into entering credit-card information on fake websites. The data is then used to buy gift cards and luxury goods through a sophisticated operation connecting overseas hackers with U.S.-based gig workers. Homeland Security investigators say the groups operate “SIM farms” across major U.S. cities, using thousands of phone cards to send millions of fraudulent texts each day. The scams, which surged to a record 330,000 toll-related messages in one day last month, highlight the growing challenge of cross-border cybercrime targeting U.S. consumers. 📲 More here
Local Leaders Concerned
Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge remains on paid administrative leave but has no plans to resign, according to her attorney. The move by City Manager Sheryl Long has drawn criticism from city officials and police union leaders, WKRC reports. Council member Seth Walsh said he and other elected officials have received little explanation about the decision, calling the process unclear and poorly handled. Fraternal Order of Police President Ken Kober questioned how officers could trust city leadership, saying, “If they’ll treat the chief this way, how are they going to treat a police officer?” Despite mixed views on her leadership, rank-and-file officers are reportedly unified behind Theetge, while Interim Chief Adam Hennie has stepped in to lead the department. 🔗 More here
Police Expand AI Drone Program
San Francisco police are increasingly using AI-powered drones for pursuits, investigations, and emergencies, Axios reports. The department began deploying drones after voters approved Proposition E in 2024 and later accepted a $9.4 million donation to expand the program and add 10 new launch sites. Flight logs from August show drones were used in 94 incidents, including robberies, drug crimes, and stolen vehicles. Police credit the technology with helping drive crime down 28% in 2024 and another 30% so far this year, saying the drones give officers faster situational awareness and improve response times across the city. 🔗 More here
New Briefing Room Podcast
From records clerk to Kansas City’s first female police chief — Chief Stacey Graves has lived nearly every role in her department. In this week’s episode, she joins me for a candid conversation on leadership, community safety, and what it takes to guide a major city police force in 2025.
We talk about:
🔥 Lessons from the Super Bowl parade tragedy
⚽ Preparing for the FIFA World Cup
🤖 Embracing innovation
💬 The rise of political violence
Through it all, Chief Graves stays grounded in her Kansas City roots — as a Chiefs fan, Swiftie, and servant leader.
Won’t Support Federal Immigration
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes said his department will not assist federal agents or the National Guard if deployed under President Trump’s immigration enforcement plan, telling officers their duty is to protect residents’ constitutional rights, including the right to protest. In an interview with The Seattle Times, Barnes said SPD’s role will be to safeguard peaceful demonstrations and ensure public safety should federal troops arrive. His comments came after Mayor Bruce Harrell signed executive orders directing city agencies to resist any “unlawful federal troop deployment.” Barnes said he’s been in contact with Washington National Guard leaders to ensure early communication about any potential mobilization. 🔗 More here
Police Avert Mass Shooting
A Georgia man was arrested Monday after police say his family warned he was planning to “shoot up” Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. According to Reuters, officers took 49-year-old Billy Joe Cagle into custody after spotting him surveying a crowded terminal. Investigators say Cagle had an AR-15 rifle and ammunition in his nearby truck and was likely preparing to retrieve the weapon. Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum credited the family’s quick call for preventing a potential tragedy, saying, “We did have a tragedy averted.” Cagle, who has a prior felony conviction, is being held without bond on multiple charges, including making terroristic threats and firearm possession. ✈️ More here
AirTag Used to Track Couple
Two suspects in Florida were arrested after allegedly using an Apple AirTag to stalk and rob a couple at gunpoint outside their home, according to Fox News. Investigators say the men—Luis Charles, 26, and Odardy Maldonado-Rodriguez, 32—hid the tracking device beneath the victims’ SUV, followed them to their residence in Odessa, and forced them into their garage before fleeing when an alarm went off. Both suspects face multiple charges, including armed kidnapping, robbery, and illegal installation of a tracking device. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister called the attack “every family’s worst nightmare,” adding that the arrests should reassure residents that “these dangerous criminals are now behind bars.” 🚔 More here
🚔 Daily police news @ Police Briefing