CRIME & SAFETY
Polk County Sheriff launches internet surveillance
An artificial intelligence system that can identify aliases and collect years of personal data from hundreds of online sources is now being used by the Polk County Sheriff's Department.Why it matters: ShadowDragon surveillance software is intended to help investigate crimes like human trafficking.But the sweeping collection of data is ripe for government abuse, the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa tells Axios.State of play: The Wyoming-based company says its software can in minutes map out online identities and associations or correlations among people using publicly available information online, including social media, chat rooms and dating platforms.The system doesn't access private...
Single-Vehicle Crash Near Ankeny Leaves One Person Dead
(Ankeny, IA) -- The Polk County Sheriff's Office is investigating a single-vehicle crash that left one man dead. Deputies responded to reports of an SUV in a field in the 2800 block of NW 126th Avenue just northwest of Ankeny at around 2:30 this afternoon. A preliminary investigation shows a...
Des Moines to pay $50,000 to settle another George Floyd protest arrest lawsuit
Des Moines has agreed to pay $50,000 to a man tackled and arrested during the George Floyd protests in 2020, officials say. Approved this week, the settlement is in addition to $25,000 Jacob Sahr received from Polk County in 2022, according to a report by Axios. Sahr, who now lives in Waterloo, sued both city and county, alleging false arrest and First Amendment retaliation by sheriff's deputies and police.
Urbandale woman charged after a hit-and-run injures child
Des Moines, IA — An Urbandale woman is now charged after a hit-and-run left a child hurt. Police say Nyabang Chuat hit a 5-year-old on Des Moines' southeast side, left the scene and did not call anyone after the crash. The child suffered serious injuries but is expected to...
Des Moines man crashed car into church steps & took out utility pole during chase, state patrol says
DES MOINES, Iowa — A Des Moines man is in jail on multiple charges following a high-speed chase late Monday night that ended when his car crashed into the steps of a northside church. Michael Alcantar, 54, is being held in the Polk County Jail on charges of felony eluding OWI, and interference with official […]
Des Moines Police Say Two Guns Recovered at Des Moines Airport This Week
(Des Moines, IA) -- Two guns were recovered at the Des Moines International Airport this week. The Des Moines Police Department says the guns were found at security checkpoints by TSA Security. DMPD says the owners of the guns were given citations by airport police officers. The number of guns recovered at the Des Moines International Airport was down in 2023 to 7, a drop from 15 in 2022.
60 live animals, 7 dead found in Norwalk home
NORWALK, Iowa — The Norwalk Police Department is investigating a case of animal neglect after dozens of animals were found living in feces and trash-littered conditions in Norwalk last week. The Norwalk Police Department said it was called to a home in the 2200 block of Windflower Drive on Friday about an animal neglect situation. […]
Polk County jury delivers verdict in strange death of Des Moines architect Kirk Blunck
The man charged with killing a prominent Des Moines architect more than eight years ago has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Kirk Blunck, 62, was found in January 2016 with severe injuries at the bottom of a stairwell in the Teachout Building, where he had an office. After he died, an autopsy determined the fatal injuries were sustained in a fall. ...
Clive police: 11-year-old found safe and is back home
CLIVE, Iowa — As of 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Evans is safe and at home, according to the Clive Police Department. The Clive Police Department is asking for the public's help finding a missing 11-year-old. Police say Charli Evans was last seen near NW 146th Street and Hawthorn Drive in...
Not guilty pleas in Zearing abuse case, trial dates set for 2 defendants
STORY COUNTY, Iowa — Two more members of a Zearing family accused of torturing another family member so severely he suffered life-threatening injuries have entered their pleas in the case. Written pleas of not guilty were filed Monday for 44-year-old Gary L. Graham Jr. and 42-year-old Danielle K. Graham. They, along with 20-year-old Aaron Williams […]
'It's annoying': Local lawn care business plagued with scam messages
DES MOINES, Iowa — Leah Ackerman with Manscapes Lawn Care in Des Moines said she and her partner receive lots of inquiries about their services, but many recently are "oddly worded" messages. That's because scammers have started targeting Ackerman and other small, local businesses providing similar services in the...
WATCH: Fire interrupts Johnston baseball game
JOHNSTON, Iowa — A fire just past the outfield fence forced a time-out at a baseball game Monday night in Johnston. Viewer Melissa Krugg sent us a video of the incident at the Johnston High School baseball field behind Johnston Middle School. It shows a small grass fire spreading to a pine tree just beyond the […]
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