12/1-12/8 News Roundup

A former police officer confessed to aiding her lover, a gang leader, in fleeing the country. The officer, Tara Dixon, admitted to using her position within the Baltimore Police Department to facilitate his escape. Dixon confessed to providing him with sensitive information about investigations and helping him evade capture by law enforcement. NY Times

Honduras has announced the suspension of constitutional rights in two major cities, Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, as part of a crackdown on gang violence. The decision grants security forces additional powers to carry out arrests and searches without warrants, aiming to curb the escalating gang activity that has plagued these urban centers. The suspension of rights comes amid rising public concerns about violent crime and a lack of effective law enforcement in Honduras. However, human rights advocates warn of potential abuses and the erosion of civil liberties in the name of security measures. AP News

El Salvador has deployed 10,000 police officers and soldiers to seal off the town of San Francisco Menéndez in a crackdown on gang violence. The government's action follows a surge in homicides attributed to clashes between rival gangs in the area. Authorities aim to establish checkpoints and conduct house-to-house searches to apprehend gang members and seize illegal weapons. The large-scale military and police operation reflects the government's aggressive approach to combatting gang-related crime but raises concerns about potential human rights abuses and the militarization of law enforcement. AP News

A report commissioned by the Home Office in the UK has found that police forces do not accurately understand the issue of grooming gangs. The report suggests that there is a lack of consistency and understanding among law enforcement agencies in identifying and addressing grooming gang cases. BBC