Law Enforcement Technology

NLECTC Law Enforcement & Corrections Technology News Summary
Thursday, June 14, 2007

"LAPD Plans to Accept 911 Text Messages"
Los Angeles Times (06/13/07); Winton, Richard

The Los Angeles Police Department announced June 12 that it plans to upgrade the city's 911 system to allow callers to use text messages to ask for help. Officials said the system is necessary because there are circumstances where it is easier for someone to text for help rather than call, such as a kidnapping or a robbery. The new system will also allow callers to send photos and videos from their cell phones to the city's 911 call center. Although officials said callers' ability to send photos and videos could help police by giving them faster access to evidence such as an image of a getaway car involved in a robbery, others said that the feature could overload LAPD workers with data. According to Tim Riley, the potential for data overload is precisely why the department is proceeding slowly. The LAPD will initially start a stopgap system that allows the departments to get photos and video from cell phone calls only from callers it solicits. The system could be up and running later this year. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-text13jun13,1,296583.story

"From Database to Crime Scene: Network Is Potent Police Weapon"
New York Times (06/07/07) P. B1; Lueck, Thomas J.

A New York Police Department anti-crime computer network located at One Police Plaza in New York City can rapidly send information to officers on the beat. Groups of detectives in the room, which the police department refers to as the Real Time Crime Center, look at computer screens and study cases on a 15-foot-high video screen that can show maps, diagrams, satellite pictures, and surveillance camera images. Some of the information the center makes available is typical police investigative material, such as criminal complaints, the criminal background of a suspect, and previous home addresses. In addition, the center provides the names of individuals who have visited a criminal in city prisons and state facilities, aliases, recordings of every 911 calls placed from any address in New York City over the past decade, and the nicknames of known criminals. Law-enforcement experts state the two-year-old crime center is the police department's most crucial technological measure in 15 years. In April 2007, a suspect who tortured a female student at Columbia University for nearly a day was arrested five days later when the network linked his nickname to him. Police authorities claim the center's databases possess law-enforcement records going back 15 years, which will be expanded to 25 years by autumn. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/07/
nyregion/07real.html?ref=technology

"Satellite Eye on Offenders Scaled Back"
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (06/07/07) P. A1; Marley, Patrick

Wisconsin's Joint Finance Committee has almost halved the number of child sex offenders that will have to be monitored via lifetime satellite tracking. In 2006, Gov. Jim Doyle signed a bill that would enact lifetime monitoring of serious child sex offenders, while the Department of Corrections would use its discretion in determining other child sex offenders that would be monitored. In other issues, Republicans and Democrats were split on the budget inclusion for the earned release program, granting inmates early release upon successful completion of alcohol and drug treatment. The committee also decided to furnish an additional $2.3 million for inmates' health care over a two-year span. Additionally, substance abuse programs will be expanded, instating reporting centers for offenders, as opposed to returning to incarceration. Doyle is slated to review the budget.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=616503

"Police Are Divided on Stun Guns"
Boston Globe (06/07/07) P. Reg1; Paige, Connie

Although the Massachusetts police departments of Norton, Raynham, and Rockland have gotten approval from the state to use Taser stun guns, some area police chiefs are not enamored of the devices. Supporters feel that Tasers can bring dangerous individuals under control more safely than other weapons, while detractors worry about their price and the fact that some people have died after receiving Taser charges. In the last nine years, Taser International Inc. has sold 225,000 to 11,000 law-enforcement groups, vice president of communications Steve Tuttle states. Tasers currently cost between $399 and $899. Numerous police departments in Massachusetts have been studying the purchase of Tasers for three years, when a new state law allowed their use. Raynham Police Chief Louis Pachero stresses that Tasers are part of the vital equipment given to police. He points out that police have utilized Tasers a minimum of three times, including bringing under control a dangerous motorcycle gang. Braintree Police Chief Paul Frazier, however, says he is worried about possible lawsuits if a Taser causes injuries or fatalities; as such, even though drug-associated crime, robberies, gang activity, and home burglaries are increasing in his community, he states he is not in a hurry to obtain Tasers.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/
2007/06/07/police_are_divided_on_stun_guns/

"'Pings' Assist in Missing-Persons Cases"
Kansas City Star (06/07/07) P. A5; Hayes, David

Cell phone technology has been used once again by law enforcement to find a missing person and advance a criminal case. Information on the location of Kelsey Smith's mobile phone helped law enforcement find her body. Mobile phones act like two-way radios, and they must communicate frequently with the nearest cell tower to make and receive calls. The handsets send out a signal, called a "ping," to the closest cell tower every two to three minutes, and the towers forward the location of the mobile phone back to the network. A ping can show that the phone is in the coverage area of the tower, which can range from a few square blocks to a few square miles, and mobile phone carriers use that information to forward calls, text messages, or email messages to a phone. Calls made by family and friends on Saturday generated routine pings, enabling police to track the location of Smith's phone. Big mobile phone companies will assist police who have a subpoena for phone records from a judge, which they can obtain by telephone. The process of keying in a mobile phone's number and having the last known location pop up on a screen can take less than a minute.
http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/139639.html

"New York City Police Eye Trucks as Potential Vehicles for Terrorists"
Seattle Times (06/12/07); Hays, Tom

The New York City Police Department (NYPD), concerned that the commercial trucks that go in and out of the city each day could be used as terrorist weapons, has established checkpoints where the trucks are screened and subjected to several tests. "We've always been concerned about the potential for trucks and other vehicles to be used to convey explosives or other weapons," New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said. "We also want to screen against the possibility of sensitive cargos being diverted for use in an attack." Police who man the checkpoints are inspecting the trucks for radiation, fertilizer, explosives, and chlorine. Trucks or drivers who lack ID or paperwork are removed from the road, police said. Dump trucks and cement trucks receive extra attention because they are capable of smashing through security checkpoints, says NYPD counterterrorism official Jonathan Duecker. The NYPD is currently developing a variety of mobile radiation detectors, including devices for police cars and bicycles and a backpack-like detector that can be worn by police officers in stadiums. Some 1,000 officers already wear pager-sized radiation detectors on their belts, and another 1,000 such devices are on their way. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003744093_nytrucks12.html

"Cops' Radiation Detection? It's in the Bag, Kelly Boasts"
New York Daily News (06/07/07) P. 14; Gendar, Alison

Over the past year, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) has been testing five portable radiation detectors that resemble backpacks. Officials say the backpack can be used by officers while riding a bike, helping them appear as tourists. The backpack features an earpiece that provides data to the officer about any radiation in the area. Officials say the testing has helped manufacturers better understand the city's requirements. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/06/07/2007-06-07_cops_
radiation_detection_its_in_the_bag_.html

"Long-Awaited Center Opens"
Indianapolis Star (06/06/07) P. 3; Smith, Bruce C.

Hendricks County, Ind., has opened a $7.6 million communications center that will equally serve police, fire, and ambulance services. Housed in the Plainfield's police and public safety building, the center will provide the ability for all respondents to communicate with each other, through an 800 MHz frequency. Staff will be on hand around the clock and each of 13 workstations comes equipped with flat video screens. "They can see where the doors and windows and other features are located, which can be important information in an emergency," said Hendricks Communications Center executive director Larry Brinker. All emergency vehicles in Hendricks County are GPS-equipped, and dispatchers can pull up three-dimensional aerial images of an incident's location. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/
20070606/LOCAL0505/706060357/1020/LOCAL05

"California Firm Sees Business Grow With Law Enforcement Interest in 'SandCars'"
Bakersfield Californian (06/06/07); Philp, Drew

Bakersfield, Calif.-based Extreme Motorsports manufactures "SandCars," and on June 7 signed an agreement worth $39 million with Made in USA Industries to produce 400 SandCars geared for law enforcement. Extreme Motorsports owner Alan McCaa explains that anti-terrorist and border patrol groups are interested in his cars to take some of the burden off their on-road police cruisers. The vehicles can be outfitted with such features as Pelican Mobile laptops, infrared cameras, and armor plating. SandCars resemble the dune buggies of the 1970s. The vehicles can host Corvette engines with as many as eight cylinders, and at 450 horsepower can travel at 110 miles-per-hour or faster. The cars are expensive, costing between $15,000 and $100,000-plus. Although McCaa sells SandCars to private customers, he stresses that "government and law enforcement will end up being the bread and butter of our company." He thinks the two entities are becoming more aware of SandCars as a fast way to enter and exit remote locations. http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2007/06/06/2693387.htm

"Rockland Judges Push for More Courtroom Security"
Journal News (NY) (06/06/07) P. 3A; Lieberman, Steve

A shooting at a Rockland County, N.Y., court last month has prompted the state to make money available for municipalities to improve courtroom security. Grants from the New York state Office of Court Administration are being offered to pay for metal detectors to check people for weapons. Clarkstown and West Haverstraw are among the local governments that already have the approximately $4,000 magnetometers, and Ramapo has ordered a metal detector and Sloatsburg, where the shooting occurred, plans to order one. Although the state is willing to pay for the metal detectors, municipalities would have to cover the cost of personnel to operate the machine and the electronic metal detector wands. Clarkstown Police Chief Peter Noonan expressed confidence in current courtroom security, and Councilman Ralph Mandia said he welcomed the effort to improve security in courts as long as the police oversee personnel hired to handle the equipment. A police station is downstairs from Clarkstown Justice Court, an officer is on patrol upstairs and there are security cameras. Before the shooting, some local governments questioned whether there was a need for tighter security in courtrooms. "They are taking a different view now," says Rockland County Court Judge Charles Apotheker. http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/
article?AID=/20070606/NEWS03/706060377

"Committee Postpones Radio Upgrade Vote"
Herald & Review (IL) (06/05/07); Tallon, Mary

Macon County, Ill., Sheriff Jerry Dawson said the failure to upgrade the department's backup radio system soon could jeopardize public safety. The comment from Dawson came after Macon's Board Finance Committee postponed a vote on spending more than $150,000 on equipment and technology improvements on Monday. The equipment and technology upgrades would make the "Old Sheriff's Main" frequency a digitally compatible system. The sheriff's department uses the radio system, which has not been upgraded since 1979, when its primary frequency encounters "dead spots," and Macon's emergency management agency uses it for its main radio channel. The committee considered using money from a $500,000 disaster contingency fund until board Chairman Bob Sampson questioned whether disaster contingency money could be legally used for the radio improvement. The board placed greater restrictions on the use of the fund in January. Dawson suggested using the disaster contingency fund, but added that money could also come from another source.
http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2007/
06/05/news/local_news/1023943.txt

"'CSI'-Style Technology Going to Dogs--and Cats"
Associated Press (06/03/07); Gelineau, Kristen

Many law-enforcement agencies are increasingly looking at animal DNA to obtain evidence for crimes in which animals were involved or witnesses. Saliva and hair found at the site of an animal attack can help identify the animal responsible, and if animals are present at the scene of a crime, their DNA can often be used to match up with any evidence found on the person or property of suspects. DNA evidence is not the only tool used in investigating animal-related cases; however, investigations into animal cruelty also make use of more traditional forensic methods such as ballistics and toxicology to determine how much an animal may have suffered in a particular instance. Forensic entomology can help settle issues related to poaching deaths, such as the amount of time since a particular animal has been shot. http://washingtontimes.com/metro/20070602-110040-9695r.htm

"Radios Will Link Lawmen"
Searcy Daily Citizen (AR) (06/01/07); Watkins, Warren

White County, Ark., has used money left over from grants for the new Mobile Command Unit to purchase 64 hand-held radios that will allow law enforcement officers in different jurisdictions throughout the county to communicate with one another. According to Bill Haynie, chairman of the White County 911 board, the FCC regulates the frequencies on the radios--which cost more than $600 each--so that they may only be used by law enforcement officers. http://www.thedailycitizen.com/articles/
2007/06/02/news/local_news/news02.txt

"Calling System Aids Oakwood Police"
Dayton Daily News (OH) (06/07/07) P. Z1-3; Bebbington, Helen

Police in Oakwood, Ohio, used the city's CodeRED automated phone alert system for the first time on May 30 to help locate a missing man. The service, which police officials say has been in place for about six months, sends out automated calls to citizens within a particular radius of an emergency. Police issued the CodeRED call at 10:15 a.m., alerting citizens of a man with dementia who left an assisted living facility; in about 15 minutes, a resident of Kettering, Ohio, informed Oakwood police about the man, whom she saw at a CVS store. The service is provided by the Miami Valley Communications Council and features GIS and other technologies that let cities notify residents. Roughly 15 communities in the Dayton metropolitan area currently rely on the service. http://www.daytondailynews.com

"DHS Vows to Fix Information Network"
Federal Computer Week (05/28/07); Mosquera, Mary

Homeland Security Department officials recently promised Congress that they will boost the functionality of the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN). HSIN was created in 2003 to help local and state law enforcement share data, but has been implemented without proper coordination among various law enforcement officials. HSIN is not used by many people today. The Homeland Security Department plans to revamp and improve HSIN cooperation with federal databases such as the Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS) program, as well as better involve local and state agencies and authorities. HSIN also is transitioning into becoming part of an Information Sharing Environment (ISE) to help reduce isolated data in various databases by creating automatic duplication as well as links. The ISE component remains under development, and also will include input from federal intelligence agencies. http://www.fcw.com/article102798-05-28-07-Print

"District, Police Looking at Camera Technology"
YourHub.com (05/23/07); Kirchmer, Joseph

The Douglas County School District is considering implementing SWAT (Security With Advanced Technology) that would enable law enforcement to observe video footage from inside a school that could be transmitted to command centers and to patrol cars. Cameras would be installed and images would be transmitted through an antenna from the school's roof; there are about 750 cameras already installed in the district. "It gives law enforcement a clearer picture in the event of a shooter situation," said executive director of safety and transportation Larry Borland. The receivers are slated to cost about $5,100 per unit, minus the cost of installation. Receivers would be installed in police cars, command centers, and school vehicles. "We may not necessarily be able to locate where a suspect is, but you would definitely be able to tell where suspect is not," noted Borland. http://denver.yourhub.com/CastleRock/Stories/News/Law/Story~311308.aspx

"Voice Biometrics: Coming to a Security System Near You"
Ars Technica (05/13/07); Anderson, Nate

Because every voice is unique, sophisticated voice analysis software can match people to voices, which will be a boon to security investigators, though not to criminals. Voice biometrics technology can catch criminals by studying voice characteristics, and can do so in 30 minutes on a modern dual-core machine. Moreover, the voice provides two-factor identification, as it combines what individuals say with how they say it, and can combine the factors remotely. Voice systems are at least twice as accurate as fingerprint scanning, and are cheaper to implement, says Dr. Clive Summerfield of the University of Canberra. Banks are eager customers of the technology, which is now all set for commercial deployment. This year, the major Dutch bank ABN AMRO will unveil the technology to its 4 million Netherlands customers. http://arstechnica.com/articles/culture/voice-biometrics-come-of-age.ars

NLECTC Law Enforcement & Corrections Technology News Summary

Thursday, April 19, 2007

"System Can Scan Plates, Talk to Officer"
Dallas Morning News (04/15/07) P. 10B; Abshire, Richard

The Mesquite Police Department is the first in Texas to receive the PlateScan system, which uses cameras and computers to "remember" each license plate it witnesses as an officer patrols the streets or the parking-lot at an area mall. In addition, the system records a color picture of the car, with the time, date, and location as configured by GPS satellites. It also checks every plate number against databases that contain stolen and wanted vehicles and registered sex offenders. When it receives a hit, a robotic voice informs the officer. The program was launched on Feb. 28, and to date has cleared a minimum of four stolen cars, notes Mesquite police representative Lt. Steve Callarman. In one situation, a man in a stolen car drove past a parked police car while the officer was making a call. When the officer came back to his car, he was informed by the system about the stolen vehicle, and it was found nearby. It cost approximately $40,000 to outfit two police cars.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/mesquite/
stories/DN-mesplates_15eas.ART.East.Edition1.430b966.html

"Sex-Offender List Goes Online in Kane County"
Chicago Tribune (04/16/07) P. C3; Presecky, William

The Kane County, Ill., sheriff's office now has a computer tracking system for sex offenders living in unincorporated parts of the county, currently totaling roughly 55 individuals. The system is available to the public through the Web site of the sheriff's office, and allows county residents to see the locations of all sex offenders living within a mile of their location. Residents can also opt to have email or postal mail sent to them when a sex offender moves into their area. The county hopes to expand the system soon to track the additional 280 or so sex offenders who live in incorporated municipalities within the county, and plans to update the registry daily so that members of the public have the most accurate information possible about where sex offenders live.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/
chi-0704150314apr16,1,2459254.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

"Standing Guard Over Criminal Evidence"
Sacramento Bee (CA) (04/12/07) P. G1; Richie, David

To ensure the high quality of evidence from crime scenes, the city of Citrus Heights, Calif., has spent $1 million to construct a 5,800-square-foot storage structure. Only two police officers have access to the entire evidence storage facility, which has been incorporated into the existing police station. One of the two officers is Michelle Combs, a crime scene investigator/property-evidence specialist with 21 years experience in law enforcement. Both officers are essentially on-call 24/7 and are dispatched to all major crime scenes. Combs helped design and equip the van they travel in as well as the crime lab and storage facility. She says day-to-day access to the facility needs to be extremely restricted because "almost always a theft is accomplished internally." Some of the features of the facility include lockers that lock automatically after evidence is handed in, an area for drying wet items prior to processing, and a secure, temperature-controlled room to hold perishable items. Vehicles can be towed to a secure area at the back of the site. The majority of operations are conducted internally, with the exception of certain blood and drug assessments that are performed by the Sacramento County district attorney's crime lab. http://www.sacbee.com/190/story/152654.html

"Perry Touts Better Radio System"
Valley Morning Star (Texas) (04/12/07); Hernandez, Elizabeth

Texas has achieved Level 4 emergency radio communications status for interoperable communications as judged on a 1 to 6 scale, reports Texas Gov. Rick Perry. In addition, Austin, Houston, and a few other Texas areas have achieved the top ranking of Level 6. U.S. Homeland Security director for Texas Steve McCraw explains that Level 4 ranking signifies that police, firefighters, and other first-responders can communicate with each other from radios that are connected immediately through some core central command. He notes that Level 6 means first responders have radio systems that act like cell phones, which can roam onto different agency channels themselves. Perry says "radio interoperability" in Texas today enables firefighters, police, and other emergency responders to speak instantly when responding to an event. In fact, since 2003 Congress has invested $2 billion in nationwide radio interoperability. Perry adds that Level 4 communication will impact people in the field. For instance, police who stop illegal aliens will be able to radio the appropriate agency to help handle it. http://www.valleymorningstar.com/onset?id=1833&template=article.html

"Township Approves Police Radio Tower"
Ocean County Observer (04/13/07); Pais, Matt

The building of a new, 150-foot-high tower will provide police with improved radio reception when answering calls in the Whiting, N.J., region. The Manchester Township Council sanctioned a bid from TekTron for the tower during the second week of April, paving the way for the tower to be erected at the public works garage on Route 70 close to the Whiting-Lakehurst border. The tower will allow officers to stay in touch with the township's communications system no matter where they are situated. The present network is inundated with numerous "dead" spots, particularly inside the industrial structures, according to Sgt. Bob Dolan. "We expect [the new tower] will improve the in-building communications in places where officers have to either move to get a signal or often go back to their car," he said. The project is the second stage of a scheduled revamping of the police department's communications systems. Besides Manchester, numerous local police departments, including Lacey, Lakewood, Stafford, and Toms River, have already converted from typical analog radios to a digital network. The new system allows for greater communication with other county police departments and Sheriff's Department officials from Burlington and Ocean counties.
http://www.ocobserver.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/
20070413/NEWS01/704130327/-1/SPORTS06

"Cops Spike Spoke Thieves"
Yuba City Appeal-Democrat (04/12/07); Young, Rob

When bicycle thieves attempted to steal an expensive model bike in Yuba City, Calif., they were not aware they led the police department to their location. On loan from Pegasus Technologies, Yuba City police planted a motion-activated transmitter on the bike, hidden in the seat. Nationwide, about 150 U.S. police departments have employed this tracking system, with prospects for it becoming a solution to automobile theft. Universities also use the tracking system, where bicycle thefts on campus are more prevalent. Although car owners can use the transmitter, Jason Cecchettini of Pegasus says bike owners cannot because the radio frequency can only be accessed by police.
http://www.appeal-democrat.com/onset?id=46900&template=article.html


"System Will Notify Crime Victims of Inmate Releases"
Harrisburg Patriot-News (PA) (04/11/07) P. A3; Lenton, Garry

Within six months, Pennsylvania plans to roll out in midstate a free service that will allow crime victims to track the whereabouts of their offenders when they are moved, released, or escape. Crime victims will be able to anonymously sign up for the Statewide Automated Victim Information Network (SAVIN) by telephone or online, and the notification system will provide alerts by telephone, email, or text message. "Any crime victim can use this software," says Jennifer Storm, executive director of the Dauphin County Victim Witness program. "It really broadens who is allowed to receive notification." Appriss, a software development company in Louisville, Ky., assisted the state in developing SAVIN, which will be limited to tracking offenders in county prisons initially. SAVIN cost $1.5 million to develop, and about $600,000 will be needed each year to maintain the system. Appriss says 1,500 communities in 43 states are using the system.
http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=
doc&p_docid=11874E566D19E218&p_docnum=1



"Fingerprints Give a Hand to Security"
Wall Street Journal (04/12/07) P. B4; Keeton, Ann

Fingerprints are increasingly becoming the preferred way to use biometrics to verify an individual's identity. Roughly 10 percent of new laptops come with fingerprint sensors, which eliminate the need to remember passwords. Fingerprints are also being used by 20 million consumers in Japan for access to online bank accounts, ATMs, and point-of-sale credit card purchases. The use of fingerprints as a form of identification has taken off because many of the problems surrounding fingerprint identification--most notably hacking and spoofing, or fooling a system with a false print--have largely been addressed. AuthenTec, a maker of commercial fingerprint sensors, has patented technology that reads prints on living tissue in a layer of skin below the surface. This eliminates the possibility of the system being spoofed by someone lifting a print from a piece of tape or using a fake finger made from a mold of a real finger. In addition, stored fingerprint information is encrypted. However, spoofing and hacking remain potential problems that require continuous software updating, said AuthenTec President Larry Ciaccia.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117633761672067121.html

"Wood Co. Sheriff Plans to Monitor Prisoners"
Marshfield News Herald (WI) (04/11/07) P. 1A; Madden, Karen

The Wood County, Wis., Sheriff's Department is developing an electronic monitoring program that will allow the county to scale back the Wood County Jail work release program. The county will use technology, such as ankle bracelets, to closely monitor the location of inmates at all times. According to Sheriff Thomas Reichert, an ankle bracelet worn against the skin will even reveal blood alcohol concentration. The Sheriff's Department plans to reassign a correction officer to oversee the electronic monitoring of selected prisoners. Most residents are concerned about replacing the work release program with electronic monitoring. "It's unfortunate that we must deal with a decision on how to house our prisoners," says Reichert. "However, we are dealing with extremely limited budgets, and I am forced to decide whether to implement this type of program or lay off deputy sheriffs and correction officers."
http://www.marshfieldnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/
20070411/MNH0101/704110500/1980

"Backing Up Backup Calls"
Indianapolis Star (04/11/07) P. 1; Ryckaert, Vic

To prevent the occurrence of radio dead zones, or isolated areas with little or no radio reception, officials in Marion County, Ind., agreed in 2006 to replace the county's existing 16-year-old system with a digital one. Officials say the new system will be financed through grants and a bond that will be repaid using local tax money, and workers have already launched construction on new communication towers. The Metropolitan Emergency Communications Agency (MECA) will replace all its analog radio equipment with digital gear from Motorola and will also build six extra antenna towers to accompany the existing five. Such actions are expected to virtually eliminate all the areas with poor reception. Officials say the new system will also enhance communication in high-rise buildings. New communications sites are being built at Butler University, Lawrence, Geist, and Cumberland, while removing towers and backup power systems will be improved. More than 6,500 new radios and 80 dispatch consoles will be distributed among public safety and public service personnel, including the Department of Public Works and IndyGo. The new gear will allow emergency responders to be able to talk with one another during crises regardless of where in the county they are, according to Ray Raney, executive director of MEC. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007704110508

"Tool Helps Police Track Sex Offenders"
Florida Times-Union (04/11/07) P. B5; Kerr, Jessie-Lynne

With help from LexisNexis, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has launched a new investigative tool to enable law enforcement to take faster action against child abductors and absconding sex offenders. According to Jim Peck, chief executive officer of LexisNexis Risk and Information Analytics Group, there are 600,000 sex offenders nationwide, but 100,000 of them fail to register as legally required and move across state borders to remain anonymous. LexisNexis' system mines through public records to gather various types of data about sex offenders. These people "ultimately get into our system, and our system is able to distinguish between an innocent person and a sexual predator who happen to have the same names," says Peck. In the case of a child abduction, officials can key in the ZIP code of the incident to obtain a list of all the registered and unregistered sex offenders in the area. The system helps lead officers "to the right doors," says Peck. FDLE official Mary Coffee says any law enforcement agency in the state can use the technology through the state's secure and private network. She says the system has already helped the state locate more than 1,300 unregistered sex offenders.
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/041107/met_9164427.shtml

"Training Planned to Improve Campus Security"
Boston Globe (04/18/07); Smalley, Suzanne

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has ordered the state's 29 public colleges to assess their emergency response plans and security practices in response to the Virginia Tech shooting rampage. Local and state government and law enforcement officials met privately Tuesday to discuss ways to improve security on Massachusetts campuses and prepare for emergencies. To that end, the Boston Police Department announced that it will train local college security teams on how to react to school shootings, though this training will take different forms, depending on whether campus security forces are armed or unarmed. Armed security forces will receive training on SWAT techniques, while unarmed security guards will mostly be trained on how to quickly call for police help and how to work with responding officers. Officials have also discussed the use of emergency communications technology to alert students about school shootings, including an initiative aimed at connecting campuses to a police radio network used by Boston law enforcement. A heavy emphasis is also being placed on preventing shootings by paying more attention to the red flags and danger signs that could indicate a student is about to become violent. A spokesman for the University of Massachusetts at Boston said that the Virginia Tech shooting underscores the unpredictable nature of events that university security efforts must be prepared for--and that there is always room for improvement, more cooperation, more thoroughness, and greater adaptability.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/
04/18/training_planned_to_improve_campus_security/

"New 911 System Gives Responders Huge Boost"
Minneapolis Star Tribune (04/11/07) P. 1A; Chanen, David

The Minneapolis Police Department has a new dispatching tool for its 911 center, allowing dispatchers to visually track the movements of every police car, fire truck, and ambulance on the streets via the global positioning system. In addition, police can access an aerial view of crime scenes to determine which cars are closest to the scene and then dispatch those cars as quickly as possible. The new system cost $4.3 million, and was funded through a federal Department of Homeland Security grant. When a 911 operator forwards a call to a police dispatcher, the computer system automatically locates the nearest vehicles to the address from which the call originated; information about vehicle location is never more than 10 seconds old. In addition, the system can inform officers via their laptop computers which other squad cars are responding to a particular crime scene. Fire trucks are also being equipped with laptops connected to the system, allowing them to receive turn-by-turn directions to a scene and look at the architectural plans and any particular hazards of the building to which they are heading. http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1112764.html

"With a Zap or Swipe of IDs, Device Helps Nab Scofflaws"
USA Today (04/10/07) P. 3A; Coolidge, Sharon

The Clermont County of Ohio Sheriff's Office is the first U.S. civilian law enforcement agency to test a new data device that enables officers to check a suspect's identity against 140 "wanted" or "watch" lists in the United States. Officers will use Mobilisa's m2500 Defense ID system, which can check a suspect's identity and provide answers using numerous fugitive watch lists, criminal background databases, and convicted sex offender lists in just one second. The device reads the barcode on a state ID or U.S. passport. Some privacy advocates such as Cato Institute information-policy expert Jim Harper says that if this device is used to scan crowds, for instance, it may go against the constitutional barring of unreasonable search and seizure. Clermont County Sheriff A.J. Rodenberg calls the device "the future of crime fighting." http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-04-09-handheld_N.htm

"Security Cameras Work, Group Told"
Reading Eagle (PA) (04/12/07); Spatz, Don

Reading, Pa., is considering a $1.8 million security camera system. The City Council is being asked to finance the $390,000 initial stage of the 25-camera plan. "Where we've installed cameras, they've made a difference," noted Lancaster Community Safety Coalition executive director Dale B. Witmer. The coalition has implemented 35 security cameras throughout Lancaster. Nearly every crime-ridden neighborhood is his city has asked the coalition for the cameras, Witmer added. Reading Councilman Jeffrey S. Waltman Sr., who initially had been reluctant about the proposal, stated on April 11 that he is now in favor of the cameras. In addition, Councilman Stratton P. Marmarou, also a supporter, announced he would like to see Berks County assist with the financing, as Lancaster County did with the cameras in the city of Lancaster. Former city policeman Michael A. Garipoli is urging Reading to spend enough money to purchase cameras that offer crisp images, as one-day photo recognition software could be implemented that can automatically concentrate on passing faces and determine which of them possess outstanding warrants. http://www.readingeagle.com

Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.

NLECTC Law Enforcement & Corrections Technology News Summary

Thursday, January 18, 2007

"Officer's Body Armor Stops Bullet"
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (01/15/07); Diedrich, John

A teenage assailant shot a Milwaukee police officer during an attempted carjacking in the city. The officer's vest prevented the bullet from piercing his chest. The 17-year-old shooter fired at point-blank range at the 36-year-old officer, who was not identified. Police have two 17-year-old suspects in custody--one of which is believed to have fired the shot. In addition, police also arrested an 18-year-old who was driving the suspects in a van and two other people at the scene of where the suspects were hiding. The suspects and the driver took off by foot after the shooting, but police were able to follow their tracks in the snow. Deputy Chief Brian O'Keefe said the two 17-year-olds quickly confronted the officer while he attempted to purchase gas for his Mitsubishi Montero SUV and road salt at a Citgo. The officer was in uniform, but he had on a civilian coat that covered the upper half of his police attire. The assailants ordered the officer at gunpoint to drive to an alley. The assailants reportedly did not give any indication that they were aware that the man they held hostage was a police officer. The officer began to struggle with one of the young men when he attempted to search him after he was ordered out of the vehicle at the alley. The officer was shot during the altercation, but was able to shoot both young men as they fled.
http://www.jsonline.com
/story/index.aspx?id=552930

"Mesa Moving Forward With Anti-Crime Project"
Associated Press (01/12/07)

The city of Mesa, Ariz., wants to launch a technology-based initiative to reduce crimes linked to illegal aliens, according to police officials. They said the project would potentially involve hundreds of thousands of dollars to acquire such equipment as portable digital fingerprint scanners, license plate reading cameras, and remote cameras. Additionally, data-mining software would enable cross-searches within several federal, state, and local law enforcement databases. City leaders said federal agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms would be assigned to work with local police officers to solve crimes, swap data, and enhance communications with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Such a move could help uncover illegal aliens who had been deported or arrested previously. The city is also mulling the creation of red-curb zones to indicate places where parking a vehicle is prohibited.
http://kvoa.com
/Global/story.asp?S=5929412

"Livingston Police Go High-Tech in Their Cruisers"
Merced Sun-Star (CA) (01/12/07) P. B1; Jason, Scott

The Livingston, Calif., police department's 14 officers can now file reports, check license plates, and look into a suspect's background from their police cars. Eight in-car computers were implemented in the cruisers at the end of last month, and an additional half-dozen computers will be installed in the unmarked administration and detective vehicles by this month's end. The $242,690 for the system was approved in August by the City Council in an attempt to improve the department's technology. Although the touch-screen computers utilize the same systems the officers use at their desks, they also have GPS that can help officers study Livingston's layout. The department is still awaiting California's approval to access the state Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, which houses driver's license, firearms, and warrant databases. In addition, the system links with other states, providing officers with more search choices. The system means "we will be able to quickly identify criminals, make more arrests and ultimately have a larger number of convictions," notes city manager Richard Warne. Besides helping police dispatchers, Councilman Rodrigo Espinoza says he believes the additional time police are in public can lessen the level of crime.
http://www.mercedsunstar.com
/local/story/13189613p-13830880c.html

"Speedy Traffic Tickets Urged"
Baltimore Sun (01/12/07); Fenton, Justin

The Maryland legislature is considering a program that would allow law enforcement officials to issue e-citations to traffic violators, getting them back on the road more quickly and minimizing the amount of time officers have to stand in traffic. The electronic citations would let officers swipe driver's licenses and registrations to automatically generate a computerized ticket, which could then be transmitted electronically to the courts. Local police departments would be able to switch to the electronic systems when they were ready; many departments have already developed in-house software that allows them to handle e-citations. The state police says that it is currently ready to make the switch. State police say they would prefer a system which would eliminate the need for drivers to sign the citations, but it is unclear if this preference will make it into the final draft of any legislation. The proposal was discussed in a hearing of the state's Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 11.
http://www.baltimoresun.com
/news/local/bal-md.tickets12ja
n12,1,4274894.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

"GPS Finds Its Way Into Nassau Patrol Vehicles"
Newsday (01/11/07); Cassese, Sid

The Nassau County, N.Y., police department has installed global positioning systems (GPS) in 207 of its squad cars, a move that county officials say will allow officers to respond to incidents more quickly by enabling emergency dispatchers to contact whichever vehicle is closest to the scene of an incident. The system will work in conjunction with the Computer Aided Dispatch System in order to locate and dispatch officers. However, some critics of the systems are concerned that criminals may be able to hack into a GPS and thus track where police officers are at all times. However, a similar system set up in neighboring Suffolk County in 2000 has not yet had any such security problems.
http://www.newsday.com
/news/local/longisland/ny-lig
ps115047833jan11,0,4918778.story

"Taser Unveils Latest Stun Gun"
Arizona Republic (01/09/07) P. 1; Johnson, Andrew

On Jan. 8, Taser International started accepting Internet orders for its new consumer stun gun that the firm hopes will heighten its sales, which are primarily fueled by its devices for law enforcement officials. The company introduced on Jan. 8 its Taser C2 model at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show, which ran through Jan. 11. Taser selected that venue to demonstrate the gun, which is compact enough to fit inside a purse and is available in black, silver, pink, and blue. The C2 is the follow-up to the X26C model, which was launched in 2004. Taser intends to begin shipping the initial orders of the new gun in April. The company will sell two versions of the gun: The first has a laser function and costs $350, while the other comes without a laser and goes for $300. Analysts claim the new model has numerous features that will expand a Taser's appeal to retail distributors and consumers. Besides costing a lot less than earlier consumer models, the C2 is outfitted with a proprietary technology known as SureCheck, in which the guns are inactive until a consumer submits to a background check either over the Internet or by calling a number.
http://www.azcentral.com
/arizonarepublic/business/artic
les/0109biz-taser0109.html

"Sheriff Gets Grant for Major Upgrading of Radio Systems"
Ashtabula Star-Beacon (01/15/07); Cook, Doris

The Ashtabula County Sheriff's Department has received in excess of $127,000 in grants from the federal Department of Homeland Security for connecting its radio system with others used by regional law enforcement agencies. The department lacked the funding needed to upgrade radio equipment in cruisers until it received the grants, according to Sheriff William Johnson. The department currently uses different frequencies from other local law enforcement agencies. The grant will also pay for acquisition of Motorola portable radios and mobile charger units in cruisers that are operated by police supervisors.
http://www.starbeacon.com

"Most Law Enforcement Agencies Don't Require Bulletproof Vests"
WESH NewsChannel 2 (Central Florida) (01/16/07)

Police have arrested two suspects believed to be involved in the shooting death of a Florida Highway Patrol trooper. The shooting happened when the trooper pulled over a vehicle on U.S. Highway 27. The trooper was not wearing his bulletproof vest at the time of the shooting. The Florida Highway Patrol does not require troopers to wear protective vests, but does urge its troopers to do so. Some police personnel believe that the trooper have may survived the shooting if he had worn the vest. Most police agencies in the region give their officers the option not to wear a bulletproof vest.
http://www.wesh.com/news/10754887/detail.html

"Squad Car Computers Would Fill Variety of Needs in Dodge Sheriff's Department"
The Reporter Online (01/12/07) P. 7A; Nehls, Todd

Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls wants to acquire portable data computers and make other improvements to the Wisconsin-based Sheriff's Department. Some of Nehls' other goal include establishing substations, consolidating the dispatch system, and restructuring the records system. Nehls also cites the equipping of police cruisers with Mobile Data Computers (MDCs) as an important step. The MDCs can serve as a platform for future technological enhancements and will give officers the ability to search databases. Officers and detectives are currently restricted to making information requests on a suspect using the radio, but they could conduct information searches instantaneously using MDCs.
http://www.fdlreporter.com
/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007701120449

"City Hall Pushed to Buy $1.5 Million System to Track Gunshots"
Boston Globe (01/06/07); Smalley, Suzanne

Boston City Hall is being pressured by Boston city councilors, law enforcement officials, and community leaders to find the $1.5 million to install a gunshot detection system called ShotSpotter. The system, produced by ShotSpotter Incorporated of Santa Clara, Calif., uses a network of audio sensors, about the size of a coffee can, to triangulate the position of a gunshot, and is believed to be intended to cover parts of Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury, and the South End. The system is so sophisticated that it can determine the location of a shot from as far as 1.5 miles away within seconds, can isolate gunshots from other sounds, and even distinguish between shots fired from different types of weapons. Last year Boston had 74 homicides, 54 from gunshot wounds, almost identical to 2005 which had a 10-year high of 75 homicides, with 51 from gunshots. The number of shootings in 2006 increased from 2005 to 377 shootings, an rise of more than 10 percent. Similar gunshot detection-systems are being used in Chicago, Ill., Minneapolis, Minn., Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and Oakland, Calif., Gary, Ind., Charleston, S.C., and Rochester, N.Y. Last October in D.C. the system led police to a suspect only minutes after the shooting and Minneapolis has several success stories including an officer-involved shooting, the recovery of a discarded gun, the arrest of a convicted felon with a gun, and an arrest for a shooting that was never reported to the police.
http://www.boston.com/news
/local/articles/2007/01/06/cit
y_hall_pushed_to_buy_15m
_system_to_track_gunshots/

"New Orleans Mayor Seeks Solutions for Growing Violence on City Streets"
Associated Press (01/09/07); Foster, Mary

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) on Jan. 9 suggested ways the federal government could help reduce crime in New Orleans. This included installing a camera surveillance system in the city and within police vehicles. Landrieu said the surveillance cameras would help apprehend offenders as well as make sure that officers carry out their duties appropriately. She also wants more agents from the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration as well as an emergency grant similar to the one given to New York City after the Sept. 11 attacks. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives has estimated that nationwide, the average period of time it takes for a legally purchased gun to become implicated in a crime is five years, but in New Orleans that period is only six months, according to bureau agent Austin Banks.
http://news.lp.findlaw.com
/ap/o/51/01-09-2007/ab8e001cc4633fd8.html

"New Model for Computer Forensics: Champlain College and Law Enforcement Team Up on Digital Investigations in Vermont"
AScribe Newswire (01/10/07)

A ground-breaking new partnership between a college and law enforcement agencies is helping police process more digital evidence and fight cybercrime in Vermont. The Champlain College Center for Digital Investigation, which received a $650,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance, is enabling two new Champlain faculty members to work with federal, state and local law enforcement investigators, performing digital investigations and adding capacity to law enforcement agencies in Vermont. Based at the Burlington Police Department, these investigators sift through digital evidence found on computers, cell phones, iPods and other digital devices so that crucial pieces of evidence can be applied to criminal investigations. The professors also share their professional experience as they teach courses in Champlain's Computer & Digital Forensics program. The grant also enables the college to create online training opportunities that will be available to members of law enforcement in Vermont and across the country. "Computer forensics and digital investigations have become an integral part of police work in the new millennium," said Professor Gary C. Kessler, director of the new center. "Computers are now as much a part of the modern law enforcement officer's daily routine as the baton, sidearm, radio and handcuffs."
http://newswire.ascribe.org
/cgi-bin/behold.pl?ascribeid
=20070110.090318&time=
10%2045%20PST&year=2007&public=0

"It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's a...DHS Drone"
Washington Technology (01/09/07) Vol. 1, No. 1,; Lipowicz, Alice

To help patrol the border between the United States and Canada, the Department of Homeland Security plans to launch test flights of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)--also known as drones--later in 2007. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced Jan. 8 it intends to use the drones in a pilot program by Sept. 30. The program would take place in Grand Forks, N.D., because of its proximity to the country's border with Canada. "As unmanned aircraft have proven to be effective on our southern border, this first step in North Dakota will lay the foundation to expand unmanned aerial system operations along the nation's northern border," said Michael Kostelnik, assistant commissioner for CBP's Office of Air and Marine, in a press release. UAVs feature cameras that can observe and detect motion, and they will complement law enforcement and critical incident responses, the agency said. In addition, CBP plans to restart drone flights over the U.S.-Mexico border using Predator B aircraft in November. That program was halted in April 2006 after the first Predator drone crashed as a result of a navigation error, according to government probes. CBP also announced it will incorporate satellite infrastructure at its Air and Marine Operations Center in Riverside, Calif., in 2007. http://www.washingtontechnology.com
/news/1_1/daily_news/29943-1.html

"Social Networking Sites in the Cross Hairs?"
TechNewsWorld (01/03/07); LeClaire, Jennifer

As the popularity of social networking sites grows, so do the threats posed to them and the entire Web 2.0 community, but growing public awareness could be the best defense against this trend. The worm and phishing attack against MySpace in early December 2006 called attention to this new venue for cybercrime. Malicious tactics being employed include changing user settings, viewing account information, and implanting cookies with malicious code, all of which are made possible by exploiting the confidence users have in each other. Face Time Security Labs Chris Boyd says, "Social networking sites are goldmines of information, and a social engineer's dream. You don't even have to go dumpster diving anymore." A study conducted by CA and the National Security Alliance found that 57 percent of social networking site users admitted to being concerned about security threats, but personal information is still being posted, with no signs of slowing down. Boyd says that no matter the approach used by attackers, the goal is financial, "even if they're stealing login data, they're only doing it to spam Web sites that install adware, such as the recent MySpace worm." Attacks like this one leave users no options for defense but to not use the site at all. As social engineering scams gain more attention, so will the danger posed to Web 2.0, because its content is constantly changing, which means Web filtering applications that use URL databases or honeypots are ineffective; URLs would have to be scanned in real time. However, CTG's Ed Moyle thinks social networking sites are relatively safe, having experienced few actual attacks, since they are centralized and feature community enforcement.
http://www.technewsworld.com
/story/54932.html

"How to Buy Rifle Optics"
Police (01/07) Vol. 31, No. 1, P. 34; Smith, Scott

Rifle optics these days include both telescopic sights used by snipers, and aiming-related devices called compact optics. Combat optics use a red-dot laser to help an officer aim his weapon, and this technology first caught on with competition shooters. Today every U.S. Army soldier with an M16 or M4 rifle has a combat optic sight as well. Two inexpensive but trustworthy red-dot sights that retail for around $125 are TruGlo Dual Color and Tasco ProPoint. Mil-Spec sights begin at $300 and these are military-tailored. For police officers who wear glasses, they must use holographic sights for best results. Bushnell, EoTech, and C-More specialize in this field, with Bushnell specializing in holographic sights with night-vision. Trijicon ACOG is the leading combat optics company of magnifying red-dot sights that enlarge a target between three and five times its true size. Before any purchase, one should fully understand installation issues unique to each sight and gun model.
http://www.policemag.com

"Digital Cameras for Cops"
Police (12/06) Vol. 30, No. 12, P. 28; Spraggs, David

Digital cameras have dropped in price during the last few years, making this upgraded technology a reasonable purchase for many police departments. Furthermore, digital cameras have produced higher-quality results for police departments than manual cameras, not in the least because digital photographers can view their pictures on the camera screen and therefore reshoot any mishaps. Point-and-shoot digital cameras are great tools for a patrol officer, but forensic photographers shooting fingerprints or footwear impressions need better technology. A serviceable point-and-shoot digital camera should have between four and seven megapixels, have an optical zoom, offer low-light capability, image stabilizations, and macro-setting for close-up photos. At $200, Fujifilm's F20 offers a very serviceable camera that is officer-friendly, with solid after-sale support and service. Nikon is a top-of-the-line brand, and the Nikon L5 digital delivers the whole package, plus an especially long telephoto lens, for $275. Pentax Optio E10 is a solid choice at the bargain price of $150, and Sony's DSC-W70 has great low-light features and a good zoom lens at $275. One should also remember that digital cameras require batteries, and Nickel Metal-Hydride rechargeable batteries are the best at providing a renewable, rechargeable energy source.
http://www.policemag.com

Article sponsored by military and police personnel who have become authors; and criminal justice leadership online.