City of Laredo
What to Know:
- Laredo police plan to expand AI use across operations, with new systems rolling out in 2026.
- Tools include gunshot and crash detection, AI-assisted reporting, and real-time data integration to improve response times amid staffing shortages.
- Department leaders say AI supports efficiency, with all decisions remaining under human review.
What to Know:
- Laredo Police will implement a new 911 platform, Prepared 911, in early 2026 to route emergency call data and audio directly to responding officers.
- The system aims to reduce dispatch delays, improve officer safety and streamline response during high-call-volume periods.
- Residents reporting non-emergencies may be guided through automated prompts and offered secure online reporting options instead of waiting for an in-person response.
What to Know:
- United Independent School District will launch a virtual high school program, United ConnectEd, open to all Texas students in grades 9-12 beginning in 2026.
- The district is responding to declining enrollment and competition from private schools and vouchers by expanding Early College programs and promoting open enrollment.
- Online registration for the 2026-27 school year begins Feb. 2, with options for hybrid learning and extracurricular participation for local virtual students.
What to Know:
- The budget was approved early during an Aug. 14 City Council workshop.
- The largest portion of the city’s technology spending falls under the Information Services and Telecommunications Department.
- Beyond the IT department, several city agencies will also receive technology funding.
What to Know:
- The city has proposed a $9.4 million Information Services and Telecommunications (IST) operating fund.
- The IST Department has proposed $300,000 in new funding.
- The Planning Department's proposed contractual services and supplies allocations total $1.2 million.
The city is searching for an all-in-one solution that will modernize and streamline its public health operations.
Initially, the Energy Abundance Development Corp. data centers will run on natural gas produced in Texas, but the company plans to transition to 100 percent green hydrogen sourced from its hydrogen salt dome storage facility in the future.
The city's Information Services and Telecommunications Department has also requested $4 million in IT capital requests.
When the police department in Laredo deployed new software, they used it to reduce firearms incidents while also mapping dangerous roads. But other lessons followed — lessons other agencies can use.
TAMIU’s Daniel Covarrubias recently spoke about how emerging technologies can enlarge Laredo’s strong trade presence.
With an online platform, the department aims to improve crime response and communications within the community.
Two school district IT leaders are praising recent state funding for managed security services and discussing their prioritization of cybersecurity to protect users and systems.
The city of Laredo’s bridge department, information services and telecommunications department, and fire department have allocated a combined $3.7 million for new tech.
During a press conference about Laredo area needs, the representative said that more technology is needed for commercial bridge crossings and to cut congestion.
According to its FY 2023 proposed budget, these systems include a mobile command unit, network cabling equipment, new servers, a data collection device and other municipal tech.
The after-ceremony discussion included economic development and its relation to connectivity.
