NLECTC Law Enforcement & Corrections Technology News Summary
Thursday, August 16, 2007
"Iris Scan Boosts Jail Security"
Fort Collins Coloradoan (08/10/07) P. 3A; Reed, Sara
The Larimer County, Colo., Detection Center is now utilizing iris scanning to increase prison security and improve efficiency. Employing a handheld scanner, deputies at the facility scan the irises of everybody who is booked into the prison on top of fingerprint and photographing them. "One of the strong reasons we bought into the system is that someone might pose as someone else at release," explained Lt. Pat McCosh. He recalled how a prisoner was set for release but a different prisoner who had a similar name was set free instead. The scanner captures a black-and-white photo of the individual's eye, digitizes it, and stores it for later comparison. Irises do not change over time, are as individual as fingerprints, and the scan is not impacted by glasses or contacts. Money paid by people booked into the prison financed the $88,000 system, McCosh stressed. He added that the scans are not connected to any personal data besides a name and a file number. http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070810/NEWS01/708100342/1002
"Crime-Tipping Technology Updated"
Contra Costa Times (CA) (08/08/07); Gokhman, Roman
When a passer-by saw a man attempting to kidnap his girlfriend, he used his cell phone to videotape the crime in action and shot an image of the vehicle's license plate number. Law enforcement have noticed the accessibility of the public to assist police with such witness-supplied evidence, so some agencies have created ways for the public to submit and post footage on the Web to assist with arresting criminals. Yet some say the initiative is a matter of credibility, as in the case of individuals holding grudges and falsifying information. The Pismo Beach Police Department has launched the "E-Tip" program, where the public can email video footage to an address monitored by emergency dispatchers. Police Chief Joe Cortex says the department wanted "to get more timely crime-tip info" so the initiative was instated. He added that at first there was apprehension about receiving prank tips, but he noted such instances have not been an issue. Knox County sheriff's communications specialist Drew Reeves says the program has been successful at his department, and although the evidence does not supplant the work of officers, it is an effective tool for assisting with crime solving. http://www.contracostatimes.com/alamedacounty/ci_6571801
"Jones Studies Cameras in Use at Virginia Beach"
Charleston Daily Mail (WV) (08/09/07) P. 4C; Pettit, Zack
Charleston, W.Va. Mayor Danny Jones and other city leaders recently traveled to Virginia Beach to see how that city has benefited from the use of surveillance cameras. According to Charlie Meyer, the chief operating officer for Virginia Beach, there is not as much hard facts and figures as there is anecdotal evidence that surveillance cameras deter crime. He that he could not say that any one factor affected crime rates in Virginia Beach. Nonetheless, Meyer said he is a big supporter of using surveillance cameras because they can monitor more effectively than an officer on patrol and because they can gather evidence. Virginia Beach's emphasis on improving street lighting also seems to have helped deter crime and has prevented the cameras from being ineffective, Meyer said. Jones noted that Charleston needed to improve lighting as well. He added that Charleston's camera initiative would not likely get underway until next year, after officials obtain and learn to use the ca! meras and resolve public concerns about invasion of privacy. http://www.dailymail.com/story/News/2007080968/Mayor-and-police-chief-have-eye-opening-trip-to-check-out-surveillance-cameras/
"Grant Will Aid Care of Copters"
Sacramento Bee (CA) (08/09/07) P. G1; Sanchez, Edgar
The Department of Justice has granted $475,880 to the Sacramento City Council to improve the city's two police helicopters. Aire One and Aire Two will receive night-vision goggles, infrared cameras, and a thermal-imaging camera that will assist law enforcement in spotting individuals from the craft during the night. Sgt. Mike Hutchins says that the new model infrared camera will be especially beneficial because it has a low-light color capability that makes seeing suspects considerably easier at night. The camera will take high-definition photographs of an individual that exhibits the color of the clothing the suspect is wearing; pilots can then relay the information to officers on the ground. Additionally, the cameras' infrared features will thwart attempts from suspects to resort to hiding places such as the bushes or garbage cans, because the camera's technology will capture a glow around the suspect. Lt. Sylvia Moir said the cameras will also be able to assist in searching for missing persons, while the technology can be used by weather specialists in the winter to detect trouble spots in the case of flooding. The federal funding will also pay for replacement main rotor blades for Air One and a reconstructed engine for Air Two. http://www.sacbee.com/city/story/312943.html
"Courthouse Security Upgrades Near Completion"
Kokomo Tribune (IN) (08/08/07); de la Bastide, Ken
Howard County, Ind., authorities have scheduled a tentative date of Aug. 20 to install increased security measures at the courthouse. County authorities had earlier hoped the improved security initiatives would be enacted by April 20, 2007. The county got $30,000 from the state Department of Homeland Security to buy equipment and has spent another $110,000 for additional security improvements and a pair of security officers. Although courthouse staff will have access to the facility's west door, other county workers and public members will be mandated to come in through the east door. Extra cameras costing $44,000 were ordered for the building after a recent failed break-in. Any individual breaching Howard County's security regulations, which include a weapons ban, could be fined as much as $2,500. Law enforcement officers who are off-duty will be mandated to keep their weapons in the security office. A frequent-visitor pass will be given to attorneys and other individuals who have regular courthouse business. http://www.kokomotribune.com/local/local_story_220220537.html
"Houston OKs High-Tech Tracking of Probationers"
Macon Telegraph (GA) (08/08/07); Crenshaw, Wayne
On Aug. 7, the Houston County Board of Commissioners voted to use new technology to monitor people on court probation. The board voted to alter the agreement with Sentinel, its probation firm, to permit for tracking of certain probationers utilizing GPS technology and alcohol-tracking bracelets. Sentinel had formerly been contracted to follow as many as 50 probationers with electronic ankle brackets and phone checks. Every day, data from the bracelets is downloaded over the phone, and it would inform probation officers whether an individual had violated probation. County administrator Steve Engle explained that the advantage of using GPS technology is that it would permit officers to monitor the location of a probationer at any time. He added that the sheriff's department asked for the new service mostly to monitor child molesters. The alcohol-tracking gadgets would be employed for DUI violators and other people mandated by the court to not drink alcohol. The devices, attached to the wrist, detect alcohol consumption through sweat, and would instantly inform the individual's probation officer if alcohol is discovered. http://www.macon.com/197/v-print/story/107254.html
"Homeland Security Tests Strobe-like 'Puke-Ray' to Safely Subdue Suspects"
USA Today (08/08/07) P. 1A; Hall, Mimi; Moreno, Eric
The Department of Homeland Security has invested $1 million for testing of the LED (light-emitting diode) Incapacitator that would blind any individual staring into the beam of light. The tool could be used to abet authorities in their capture of a criminal or to handle belligerent airline passengers. The light will be tested at Pennsylvania State University's Institute of Non-Lethal Defense Technologies this fall, and if the technology receives the green light, the incapacitator could be in the hands of law enforcement by 2010. Program manager Gerald Kirwin says the device would also be used by air marshals, border patrol agents, and other Transportation Security Administration officials. Intelligent Optical, the company that is developing the beam, says the effect of the LED induces "a real disorientation [ranging] from vertigo to nausea" or as the online publication The Registrar deems it, the "puke-ray." Although Intelligent Optical President Bob Lieberman says the device is undergoing medically supervised tests, human rights groups say they are concerned the LED would be used on illegal immigrants. Other issues include the potential for the lights being sold on the black market if they get into the hand of criminals, or whether law enforcement would have to wear protective gear to prevent the devices from being used against them. http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20070808/1a_bottomstrip08.art.htm
"Police Arrest Intruders Near Fallen Bridge, Boost Security"
CNN.com (08/09/07)
The Minnesota Department of Transportation is taking over the responsibility of providing security at the site of the collapsed Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis, which authorities consider a death-scene investigation site. Security is being increased after Minneapolis police announced that they arrested 16 people for trespassing at the site and interfering with the investigation. Stressing the need to "maintain the honor and the dignity" of the site where five people died and eight people are still missing, Minneapolis police announced that they are deploying security technology at the site, including surveillance cameras and motion detectors. The technology will notify police if intruders are detected. http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/08/08/bridge.collapse/index.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"City Council Proposes Split of 911 Center"
Dallas Morning News (08/09/07); Eiserer, Tanya
The Dallas City Council last week received a proposal from City Manager Mary Suhm that aims to overhaul the city's troubled call center. The call center has been beset with a number of problems recently, including incomplete and sometimes incorrect information being passed from call-takers to police and understaffed overworked operators struggling to keep up with the large volume of calls. Police have also been dispatched to nonpolice matters, such as a fallen tree in a roadway. Under Suhm's plan, the emergency 911 operation and the nonemergency operations--such as 311 service calls--will be split into two next fiscal year. Suhm's plan also provides money for four new supervisors for 311 and six new 911 operators. But according to Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle, the problems at the call center cannot be corrected until 911 operations are moved from the Fire Department's control to the Police Department's control--something Suhm's plan does not call for. However, Suhm said the city is probably going to move 911 operations back to the police department after the center has been split between 911 and 311, and after a new dispatch system gets off the ground this month. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews
/stories/080907dnmet911.36262a3.html
"New Crime Lab Planned for Triad"
High Point Enterprise (08/11/07); Kimbrough, Pat
Earlier in August, North Carolina legislators sanctioned money to help form the Piedmont Triad Regional Crime Laboratory. The $567,911 will be employed to lease space and hire new employees for a State Bureau of Investigation lab that will facilitate forensic crime-scene evidence study for law enforcement groups in the area. The new lab would mean investigators would not have to depend as much on state labs in Raleigh and Western North Carolina, where it can take weeks or months to analyze evidence. Triad sheriffs have tentatively consented to offer federal forfeiture money from their various agencies to the lab to assist with start-up and operating expenses. Though a location has not been selected, Guilford County Sheriff B.J. Barnes reported that Greensboro is a likely setting and that the tentative scheduled opening date is April 2008. The new lab will offer drug chemistry and toxicology study, latent evidence analysis, and computer forensics, although it will not provide DNA study. Barnes noted that although local police agencies were contacted about the new facility, it will mostly be a function of area sheriff's offices. http://www.hpe.com/
"Dispatchers Face Challenges in Tracking Emergency Calls"
Houston Chronicle (08/09/07) P. 9; Stauffer, Kimberly
Emergency dispatch workers in Montgomery County, Texas, are working to alter the way they accept and deal with emergency calls. Nearly 60 percent of 911 calls are made from cell phones, which means they are often dropped or contain static, and if callers cannot provide dispatchers with an address and other data, finding them can be difficult. A deal between cell-phone companies and the FCC mandates wireless carriers to provide location data and technology. Montgomery County Sheriff's Department executive director Bob Gunter notes that with the carriers' aid, emergency dispatchers can find a person around 80 percent of the time. He notes, however, that a large part of the technology's bill is footed by law enforcement. Within the next few years, the sheriff's department will start installing new technology permitting the public to call emergency services from any location. Gunter states that the National Emergency Number Association is working will all cell-phone providers in the creation of next-generation technology--namely, IP-based Internet-style technology. For example, he says, if somebody sees a shooting and employs a cell phone or camera to take a picture of the event, he or she can upload and send it to dispatch and call 911. http://www.chron.com/
"Officials Laud Unmanned Weapons, See Challenges"
ABC News (08/07/07); Shalal-Esa, Andrea
Speaking during AUVSI's Unmanned Systems North America 2007 conference in Washington, D.C., Lt. Gen. Donald Hoffman said the U.S. military sees increasing value in the use of unmanned planes, boats, and ground vehicles. "I see this as an explosive arena," Hoffman said, noting that unmanned, high-altitude surveillance planes like the Global Hawk have a number of advantages over their human-operated counterparts. Not only can unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) stay in the air for up to 24 hours, they also have potential applications in the area of "near space," which is unreachable by manned planes. Other UAVs include the Reaper, a faster, deadlier version of the Predator that is capable of flying twice as high. UAVs are not without their drawbacks; however, plans are already in the works to overcome concerns about their fueling and the bandwidth needed to operate the UAVs. The Navy plans to further develop its use of unmanned aircraft with a $2 billion contract this fall for maritime surveillance. In addition, the Navy has outfitted the Littoral Combat Ship with the equipment necessary to control unmanned boats. http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3456951
"Taser Gets Personal"
East Valley Tribune (AZ) (08/07/07); Hogan, Shanna
The latest Taser model is more stylish and less expensive than prior models. The Taser C2 Personal Protector is lightweight and comes in an array of new colors and sizes, including metallic pink, titanium silver, electric blue and black pearl. Like older models, the C2 delivers 50,000 volts of electricity, leaving an attacker incapacitated for up to 30 seconds. But Taser representatives hope the new colors and compact size of the C2 will attract a wider range of consumers, including women. "For the last seven years, we've been making law enforcement our No. 1 priority," says Taser International Chairman Tom Smith. "Everything we did looked like a firearm, felt like a firearm, it was very aggressive. People didn't want that 'Dirty Harry' look." Still, Smith adds that "some law enforcement officials" have misgivings about increasing the accessibility of Tasers to civilians. http://www.eastvalleytribun! e.com/
"Teens Help Clovis Police Get a New Set of Robot Eyes"
Fresno Bee (CA) (08/07/07) P. B1; Benjamin, Marc
The Clovis Police Department recruited a couple of high school students to build a remote-controlled surveillance device. The device features a camera to allow SWAT to see inside their target with a closed-circuit camera. "It can be the eyes in there first and then the commanders and chiefs can make a tactical decision without risking a body," explains officer Dave Grotto, who recruited his 18-year-old nephew and his friend to build the remote-controlled device. The robot the teens built runs on tank treads and is outfitted with a camera on a scissor lift that can turn 360 degrees. Scenes captured by the camera are relayed to a five-inch television monitor affixed to the remote control. The camera can operate for two hours before needing to be recharged. http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/105826.html
"Digital Age Gives Police an Edge in Identifying Victims"
Beaumont Enterprise (08/06/07); Myers, Ryan
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's Child Victim Identification Program, which was begun five years ago, employs facial recognition to compare digital pictures in what could be the biggest collection of child pornography in the world. Local, state, and law enforcement groups, as well as law enforcement agencies from other countries, have donated images to the program. Since 2002, 8.6 million image files have been downloaded, helping locate 1,100 child victims. The program's most important function is locating children whose images are given for the first time. If a child has not been witnessed previously in the program, he or she could be a present abuse visit. Law enforcement is devising new ways to investigate individuals found with child pornography. The most significant change in recent years has been cooperation between various law enforcement organizations via the Child Victim Identification Program, claims program manager Jennifer Lee. http://www.southeasttexaslive.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18667104&BRD=2287&PAG=461&dept_id=512588&rfi=6
"Upkeep of Security Devices a Burden"
Washington Post (08/13/07) P. A1; Sheridan, Mary Beth
Emergency preparedness officials across the country say they are facing mounting costs related to the upkeep and maintenance of security equipment they purchased via homeland security grants since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Local officials believe they will be forced to spend a significant percentage of any future homeland grants on maintaining the equipment they have now, instead of purchasing new equipment. In many cash-strapped jurisdictions, expensive equipment is gathering dust because the equipment costs too much to maintain. For example, the FBI used a $25 million grant in 2003 to equip about 400 state and local bomb squads with a $12,000 high-tech bomb kit. The wireless laptop-based bomb kits allow U.S. bomb squads to communicate and share data about weapons of mass destruction and other explosives, and the kits even come with digital cameras that allow bomb squad members to take photos of suspicious devices, send the photos to the FBI, and get immediate advice. The initial $25 million grant included a prepaid wireless card and three-year service agreement, but once the prepaid subscriptions ran out, the local squads were forced to foot the bill. As a result, many bomb squads across the country have stopped using the devices. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/12/AR2007081201244.html?hpid=topnews
"Robotic Insect Takes Off for the First Time"
Technology Review (07/19/07); Ross, Rachel
Harvard University researchers have created a life-size robotic fly that could one day be used as spies or to detect harmful chemicals. The robotic fly weighs only 60 grams, has a wingspan of three centimeters, and has its movements modeled after those of a real fly. The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is funding the research on the robotic fly, which still has a significant amount of work left to be done, in the hope that it will lead to stealth surveillance robots. Recreating a fly's efficient movements in a robot about the same size was difficult because existing manufacturing processes do not make the sturdy, lightweight parts necessary. The research team developed its own fabrication process, using laser micro-machining to cut thin sheet of carbon fiber and polymers into two-dimensional patters. After more than seven years of working and improving parts, the robotic fly finally flew this spring. The robot still needs significant work, as it is currently held on a tether that keeps it moving in a straight, upward direction. The researchers are working on a flight controller so the robot can fly as instructed. The fly is also currently connected to a external power source, so an onboard power source needs to be developed. Leader of the robotic fly project Robert Wood said a scaled-down lithium-polymer batter would provide less than five minutes of flight time. Tiny sensors and software routines need to be developed and integrated as well so the fly can detect dangerous conditions and be able to avoid flying into obstacles. http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/19068/
"Ground Vehicles a Larger Presence at Unmanned Vehicle Exhibition"
Defense News (08/06/07); Osborn, Kris
There were more unmanned ground systems at this year's Unmanned Systems North America exhibition show--which was held by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland--than in years past, according to exhibitors and military officials. "In previous years, there were few unmanned ground vehicles at this show," said iRobot co-founder Helen Greiner. "This year, about one-third are ground." One of those robots was the 9-foot, 3,500-pound Mobile Detection Assessment Response System (MDARS), a security-guard robot from General Dynamics Robotics Systems (GDRS) that is capable of walking a beat without human control, avoiding both fixed and moving obstacles and detecting intruders up to 300 meters away. According to a Defense Department official with the Physical Security Action Group, MDARS would be the Army's first land-based semi-autonomous robot. GDRS is currently negotiating a $70 million deal t! o provide the Army with 24 to 30 robots, said Brian Frederick, manger of the MDARS program at GDRS. http://defensenews.com/story.php?F=2951265&C=america
Showing posts with label police department. Show all posts
Showing posts with label police department. Show all posts
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Law Enforcement Technology
NLECTC Law Enforcement & Corrections Technology News Summary
Thursday, July 19, 2007
"Electronic Eyes Help Police"
Los Angeles Times (07/15/07) P. A24; Frazier, Michael
The Long Beach, N.Y., Police Department is one of an increasing number of law-enforcement groups employing roof-mounted license-plate readers, also known as the Mobile Plate Hunter. Alarms are given off as the gadget's pair of infrared cameras scan license plates at a speed of between 15 and 25 per second, according to maker Remington Elsag. The plate numbers are transmitted to a database in the patrol car trunk and checked with a digital list of cars wanted for traffic breaches, crimes, reported stolen vehicles, and cars connected to alerts for kidnapped minors, officials said. The infrared cameras function similar to grocery-store scanners, and can list the plates of moving or parked vehicles. Over 220,000 departments nationally utilize the machine, which costs $22,000. Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano noted that the Mobile Plate Hunter was helping to fight human trafficking in her state. Since smugglers frequently employ stolen vehicles, cruisers outfitted with readers at the border can help uncover trafficking rings, her spokeswoman explained. http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-na-scanners15jul15,1,4895799.story?track=rss
"Crime Data, News Posted on the Web"
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (FL) (07/15/07) P. 1; Fooksman, Leon
Law-enforcement Web sites are offering practical data to help keep people better informed and more secure, according to Florida police. Placing crime information on the Internet is lowering calls to overworked emergency dispatchers. Palm Beach residents can go online to obtain arrest reports and neighborhood crime information, and can determine where sex offenders reside and who has been incarcerated. Meanwhile, Boca Raton police permit anybody to see sections of reports on arrests, accidents, missing persons, and burglaries. The Delray Beach Police Department publishes traffic accidents, breaks down crime in areas, and shows service calls. The Boynton Beach Police Department has provided holiday safety suggestions, water restriction rules, and data on traffic-enforcement initiatives. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office has received 13 million hits since November, according to officials. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
"Gadgets Transform Public Safety"
Chattanooga Times Free Press (TN) (07/12/07) P. B2; Cook, Dick
A variety of technologically-advanced devices are enabling law-enforcement groups in southwest Tennessee and North Georgia to improve how they perform their jobs. In early July, for instance, Bradley County, Tenn., Sheriff's Department officials used the assistance of Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officers to attempt to locate a sunken vehicle in a local lake. A side-scan sonar utilized during the investigation by the officers enabled law enforcement to look 50 feet into the water. Law enforcement also employs specialized technology to search in the dark, record the discussions of informants, monitor criminals' actions, and confirm the identities of individuals who wish to hide, according to officials. "There's no question that today law enforcement is much more successful in solving crimes than 30 years ago by using technology," Catoosa County, Ga., Sheriff Phil Summers stated. Summers noted how in-car video cameras, which have been in existence for 10 years, help him to contest complaints against police during traffic stops. Different state and federal grants have enabled smaller, financially-challenged police departments to obtain modern equipment. Bradley County, for example, used around $350,000 in grant money from the U.S. Homeland Security Department to outfit a crime lab in its facility. http://www.timesfreepress.com/ShowStoryTemplate.asp?Path=ChatTFPress/2007/07/12&ID=Ar00804&Section=Metro/Region
"Holly Ridge Police Pack More Sting"
Jacksonville Daily News (NC) (07/12/07); Kay, Lindell
The Holly Ridge, N.C., Police Department recently received Taser stun guns, the second law-enforcement group in Onslow County to get them. "We haven't had to use pepper spray so far this year, and hopefully we will not have to use our new Tasers, either," Holly Ridge Police Chief John Maiorano stated. "But if we have to, Tasers are meant to save lives." As part of the instruction in how to correctly employ Tasers, numerous Holly Ridge police officers have offered to be shot with the guns. The Onslow County's Sheriff's Department started utilizing Tasers nearly two years ago, according to Capt. Rick Sutherland. He noted that three-fourths of the department is currently qualified to employ the guns. Onslow County Sheriff Ed Brown emphasizes that Tasers are highly effective. http://www.jdnews.com/news/police_49733___article.html/tasers_use.html
"Entities Find Use for Geo Mapping"
Memphis Commercial Appeal (TN) (07/13/07) P. DSB1; Covington, Jimmie
A geographic information systems (GIS) workshop took place the week of July 9 in Southaven, Miss., as part of a statewide plan to bring GIS technology to every county in Mississippi. Financed by a federal grant, the initiative was created in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to help governmental workers and authorities devise geographically-connected databases. During hurricanes and other severe emergencies, it is necessary to have computer-based maps revealing the exact locations of individuals, buildings, utility lines, different services, evacuation paths, and additional information needed by emergency workers. In addition, the databases significantly help governments in offering daily services in a range of areas, including law enforcement, GIS activists claim. The instruction workshops and associated activities are managed by the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Geospatial extension specialist Dr. Scott A. Samson and two other individuals from the university have been operating the workshops at different sites in Mississippi for a little over a year. The workshops last between two and five days, and follow-ups are conducted in communities to help workshop enrollees implement what they have discovered. http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/desoto/article/
0,1426,MCA_451_5627188,00.html
"Belleville Police Cars to Get Video Cameras"
Belleville News-Democrat (IL) (07/11/07) P. A1; White, Lisa P.
A $46,000 federal grant will allow squad cars in Belleville, Ill. to be equipped with audio-visual recording systems. The proposed setup will include cameras that can spin 360 degrees to record suspect and officer behavior in and out of the car. Officers will also be given a microphone so they can capture sound when they are speaking to a suspect. Each camera and microphone set is expected to run the department between $2,500 and $4,500. Officers say the added protection the systems provide to police and suspects alike is worth the price tag. They point out the cameras will be particularly useful for the area's new street crimes unit, which is responsible for controlling offenses from drug deals to aggressive panhandling. http://www.bnd.com/news/local/story/78423.html
"Foot Patrols? So Yesterday as Police Segue to Segways"
Cincinnati Post (07/14/07) P. A.1; Wessels, Joe
Police in Cincinnati, Ohio are finding a new, high-tech way to keep their city safe. As a part of Cincinnati's Safe City Project, the police department has purchased two Segway Personal Transporters. Segways are two-wheeled, self-balancing transporters, capable of moving at up to 12.5 miles per hour. They can also run for a maximum distance of 24 miles on rechargeable lithium batteries. Police officers love the Segway because it increases their visibility and contact with the community, while allowing officers to pursue suspects with safety and speed. It also has the added benefit of being far more energy conscious than patrol cars. http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?
AID=/20070714/NEWS02/707140317/-1/all
"Taser Demo Proves Stunning"
Durham Herald-Sun (NC) (07/15/07); Rickard, Carolyn
The Durham, N.C., Police Department intends to buy and dispense 100 Taser stun guns to its officers by the middle of next year. Police will first give the Tasers to numerous officers on every squad, and eventually provide them to everybody on the force, according to Major B.J. Council. The department is preparing to buy the Tasers with $135,000 obtained in asset-forfeiture money. The department intends to ask the city of Durham to finance more of the Tasers starting with the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Taser International regional manager Jay Kehoe, a former police officer, claims that of every 1,000 hits with a Taser, just two will cause injury. Councilman Howard Clement, however, is concerned that police would not be correctly instructed, thereby causing injuries. Officers will be instructed for a minimum of six hours on the stun guns, police officials noted. http://www.herald-sun.com/
"Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Participates in Testing of Faster DNA Analysis"
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (FL) (07/11/07); Joyner, Rachael
Part of the Gattaca Project--a new DNA analysis technology--is being tested by the Palm Beach County, Fla.'s Sheriff's Office. On July 10, the office's forensics team processed blood samples with a machine still being devised by University of California, Berkeley scientists. The technology's objective is to reduce the time it takes to process samples of DNA, so they can be employed to locate suspects while a crime scene is still new. Right now, samples are handled in a lab, which can take weeks. The whole procedure, however, still has not been incorporated into one device: The Gattaca Project just conducts two of the four steps in a DNA study. The technology would permit law-enforcement groups to locate suspects faster, getting individuals to prison and eliminating suspects more rapidly, claims Sheriff's Office violent crimes division Lt. Jeffery Andrews. The device is a smaller version of what would be found in a lab, has the appearance of a briefcase-sized black box, and utilizes a microchip and a laser beam the size of hair to determine the length of DNA strands. The project was created with an $830,000 grant from the federal Department of Justice's National Institute of Justice. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-flpdna0711pnjul11,0,7857673.story
"Visual Trainer Keeps Police Safe"
Plain Dealer (Cleveland) (07/11/07); Boyd, Leah
A new virtual reality simulator will allow police officers to receive safe, realistic training in driving and firearms. The $320,000 simulator was created by L-3 Communications, Advanced Interactive Systems, and Tri-C's Public Training Institute's Law Enforcement Division. The driving portion of the system uses six 3-D screens to imitate the view from the windows and mirrors of a squad car. The simulation includes working brakes and wheels that react differently depending on the set weather and road conditions. The firearms part of the simulator lets officers use a laser gun which can imitate taser, pepper spray, and gun functions. The simulator records firing accuracy and reaction time. If the user makes a mistake which would have resulted in a real-life injury, they are automatically hit with a pellet gun. The entire system is contained in a 53 foot trailer that can travel to any area of the country, cutting down on the travel costs many police departments incur from sending officers to training facilities. http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer/stories/index.ssf?
/base/cuyahoga/1184142996146230.xml&coll=2
"Justice Collaboration"
Government Technology (07/09/07); Douglas, Merrill
The Justice Network (JNET) of Pennsylvania is an integrated Web portal that enables the exchange of criminal justice and public safety data, and serves 30,000 state, local, and federal users at 60-plus agencies. JNET allows authorized users access to data from systems that receive input from numerous stakeholders, and its features include a facial recognition system and a pilot of a system that automatically disseminates warrant information. Deputy CIO for the Public Safety Community of Practice in the Office of Administration Brenda Kaczmarek says JNET's uniqueness is derived from its status as an enterprise project, which means that the network answers to not just the state's Office for Information Technology, but also to its primary stakeholder agencies such as the Pennsylvania State Police, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Department of Corrections. "My role as executive director is to ensure that the projects we're working on are meeting the requirements of the agencies that requested them," explains JNET's Philip Tomassini. JNET's annual operating budget is $8.8 million. JNET is required to comply with the same IT standards and procedures applicable to every other state organization in Pennsylvania, according to state CIO and deputy secretary for information technology Kristen Miller. http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/125493
"Security a Priority for County Offices"
Beaumont Enterprise (07/10/07); Moore, Sarah
On July 9, Jefferson County, Texas, officials and county workers convened to talk about increasing courthouse security. A recent hostage standoff generated concerns about the Jefferson County Courthouse's risks. A committee that convened early in 2007 listed nine priorities to be dealt with in regards to courthouse security, including metal detectors and X-ray machines at courthouse entrances, security cameras across the facility, and security badges for staff. In presenting its suggestions, the committee returned to a report created by a consultant many years ago when commissioners started studying perimeter security. Commissioner Eddie Arnold stated that the consultant mentioned a startup price of $250,000 to $500,000, with an annual price of between $300,000 and $400,000 to maintain the system and provide staff. Increasing expenses would likely raise those figures between 20 percent and 30 percent, Arnold noted. He also pointed out the figure did not take into account a security-based system, which could cost an additional $50,000 to $100,000, including security entrances. Arnold stated that the matter would be discussed starting the week of July 16 during county budget hearings. http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=18567412
&BRD=2287&PAG=461&dept_id=512588&rfi=8
"Drug Task Forces Evolve"
Myrtle Beach Sun News (SC) (07/10/07) P. A1; Hoke, Josh
Law-enforcement groups in North and South Carolina are using new strategies and equipment--including video tracking and drug-detection gadgets--to help them more effectively catch and try drug violators. The efforts are overseen by the 15th Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit, an almost two-year-old group. The agency is comprised of officers from police agencies throughout Horry County, S.C., and it handles investigation data from the county. That data is then sent to regional police departments, which upgrades information-sharing and prevents dual investigations. Background checks by the task force permit police to monitor phone records and will soon provide officials with a way to facilitate drug-dealer prosecution. The National Guard has bought a $6,000 printer that will enable authorities to portray cartels in a picture that has a similar appearance to a family tree and will include names, photos, and additional information. The agency will also be able to utilize a thermal imaging system that permits police to search inside a house without having to obtain a search warrant, as officers will be able to employ it from the road, which is public land. The imaging system will notify police about facilities that have internal drug operations. http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/story/123872.html
"Massachusetts Becomes First State to Fully Implement Iris Biometric Technology"
Business Wire (07/10/07)
In May 2005, Hampshire County Massachusetts Sheriff Robert Garvey helped launch the Children's Identification and Location Database (The CHILD Project). His office was the first to become part of a secure nationwide network and registry that enables law enforcement and social service agencies to positively identify missing children and adults through biometric technology. Based on his success, the Massachusetts Sheriffs' Association was able to secure state funding, which allowed them to obtain the systems for each of the Commonwealth's fourteen sheriffs. Developed by Plymouth, Massachusetts based BI2 Technologies, the easy-to-use systems were implemented across the Commonwealth in less than one month. In less than two years, Sheriff Garvey's initial idea has already expanded into 25 states and has grown into a national system that can also track inmates and sex offenders through the use of iris biometric recognition technology. BI2 Technologies uses a specialized video camera to capture a detailed close-up of a person's iris and then system's biometric software makes a template or 'map' of each iris pattern, for storage in the registry. To verify identity later, an individual simply looks back into an iris camera, and the system compares the patterns in the individual's iris against the templates stored in the system. If there's a match, the identity is verified within seconds. "A single click of the camera could help make the difference between a missing child or senior citizen winding up in harms way or making it home safely," said Sheriff Garvey. Other sheriffs across the nation were quick to recognize the benefits of Iris Recognition Technology and expanded its use beyond identifying missing children and adults. Sheriff Jim Pendergraph of Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, North Carolina led the charge. Working with the Sheriff's Office, BI2 Technologies expanded their technology to develop a system that tracks inmates from intake through release and another that can positively identify convicted sex offenders anywhere in the nation in a matter of seconds. The Inmate Recognition & Identification System (IRIS) eliminates the possibility of human error from the release process by requiring iris recognition, giving sheriffs the confidence that only those inmates scheduled for release will be released. "I believe today, agencies across the country need to avail themselves of the newest, most effective technologies in our efforts to serve the community," said Sheriff Pendergraph. "To this end, the Mecklenburg county Sheriff's Office recently implemented the use of IRIS in our operations. Our intent is to use this highly advanced technology across multiple areas of the agency - from inmate intake and release to verification of sex offender identity." http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070710006485&newsLang=en
"Never Bring a Taser to a Gunfight"
Police Magazine (06/07) Vol. 31, No. 6, P. 40; Guilbault, Rick
Experts say restricting TASER gun use to deadly force situations is a mistake that poses a threat to police officers and criminals. Rising pressure from lawmakers and special interest groups to restrict TASER gun use has pushed the issue to the forefront, but law enforcement officers, and even some legal experts, agree that such restrictions will result in more deaths. "There is significant pressure in some segments of the community to put electronic control device use at or just below lethal force. [This is] naive [and] it gives officers a dangerous choice and will lead to more deaths," asserts Scott Greenwood, general counsel to the National Board of the ACLU. The argument has brought confusion to an area, where until recently, officers had clarity. Though use-of-force policies vary from agency to agency, police officers have sufficient training to rightly assess how to respond in an emergency and should have the freedom to use any weapon at their disposal. www.policemag.com
Thursday, July 19, 2007
"Electronic Eyes Help Police"
Los Angeles Times (07/15/07) P. A24; Frazier, Michael
The Long Beach, N.Y., Police Department is one of an increasing number of law-enforcement groups employing roof-mounted license-plate readers, also known as the Mobile Plate Hunter. Alarms are given off as the gadget's pair of infrared cameras scan license plates at a speed of between 15 and 25 per second, according to maker Remington Elsag. The plate numbers are transmitted to a database in the patrol car trunk and checked with a digital list of cars wanted for traffic breaches, crimes, reported stolen vehicles, and cars connected to alerts for kidnapped minors, officials said. The infrared cameras function similar to grocery-store scanners, and can list the plates of moving or parked vehicles. Over 220,000 departments nationally utilize the machine, which costs $22,000. Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano noted that the Mobile Plate Hunter was helping to fight human trafficking in her state. Since smugglers frequently employ stolen vehicles, cruisers outfitted with readers at the border can help uncover trafficking rings, her spokeswoman explained. http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-na-scanners15jul15,1,4895799.story?track=rss
"Crime Data, News Posted on the Web"
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (FL) (07/15/07) P. 1; Fooksman, Leon
Law-enforcement Web sites are offering practical data to help keep people better informed and more secure, according to Florida police. Placing crime information on the Internet is lowering calls to overworked emergency dispatchers. Palm Beach residents can go online to obtain arrest reports and neighborhood crime information, and can determine where sex offenders reside and who has been incarcerated. Meanwhile, Boca Raton police permit anybody to see sections of reports on arrests, accidents, missing persons, and burglaries. The Delray Beach Police Department publishes traffic accidents, breaks down crime in areas, and shows service calls. The Boynton Beach Police Department has provided holiday safety suggestions, water restriction rules, and data on traffic-enforcement initiatives. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office has received 13 million hits since November, according to officials. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
"Gadgets Transform Public Safety"
Chattanooga Times Free Press (TN) (07/12/07) P. B2; Cook, Dick
A variety of technologically-advanced devices are enabling law-enforcement groups in southwest Tennessee and North Georgia to improve how they perform their jobs. In early July, for instance, Bradley County, Tenn., Sheriff's Department officials used the assistance of Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officers to attempt to locate a sunken vehicle in a local lake. A side-scan sonar utilized during the investigation by the officers enabled law enforcement to look 50 feet into the water. Law enforcement also employs specialized technology to search in the dark, record the discussions of informants, monitor criminals' actions, and confirm the identities of individuals who wish to hide, according to officials. "There's no question that today law enforcement is much more successful in solving crimes than 30 years ago by using technology," Catoosa County, Ga., Sheriff Phil Summers stated. Summers noted how in-car video cameras, which have been in existence for 10 years, help him to contest complaints against police during traffic stops. Different state and federal grants have enabled smaller, financially-challenged police departments to obtain modern equipment. Bradley County, for example, used around $350,000 in grant money from the U.S. Homeland Security Department to outfit a crime lab in its facility. http://www.timesfreepress.com/ShowStoryTemplate.asp?Path=ChatTFPress/2007/07/12&ID=Ar00804&Section=Metro/Region
"Holly Ridge Police Pack More Sting"
Jacksonville Daily News (NC) (07/12/07); Kay, Lindell
The Holly Ridge, N.C., Police Department recently received Taser stun guns, the second law-enforcement group in Onslow County to get them. "We haven't had to use pepper spray so far this year, and hopefully we will not have to use our new Tasers, either," Holly Ridge Police Chief John Maiorano stated. "But if we have to, Tasers are meant to save lives." As part of the instruction in how to correctly employ Tasers, numerous Holly Ridge police officers have offered to be shot with the guns. The Onslow County's Sheriff's Department started utilizing Tasers nearly two years ago, according to Capt. Rick Sutherland. He noted that three-fourths of the department is currently qualified to employ the guns. Onslow County Sheriff Ed Brown emphasizes that Tasers are highly effective. http://www.jdnews.com/news/police_49733___article.html/tasers_use.html
"Entities Find Use for Geo Mapping"
Memphis Commercial Appeal (TN) (07/13/07) P. DSB1; Covington, Jimmie
A geographic information systems (GIS) workshop took place the week of July 9 in Southaven, Miss., as part of a statewide plan to bring GIS technology to every county in Mississippi. Financed by a federal grant, the initiative was created in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to help governmental workers and authorities devise geographically-connected databases. During hurricanes and other severe emergencies, it is necessary to have computer-based maps revealing the exact locations of individuals, buildings, utility lines, different services, evacuation paths, and additional information needed by emergency workers. In addition, the databases significantly help governments in offering daily services in a range of areas, including law enforcement, GIS activists claim. The instruction workshops and associated activities are managed by the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Geospatial extension specialist Dr. Scott A. Samson and two other individuals from the university have been operating the workshops at different sites in Mississippi for a little over a year. The workshops last between two and five days, and follow-ups are conducted in communities to help workshop enrollees implement what they have discovered. http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/desoto/article/
0,1426,MCA_451_5627188,00.html
"Belleville Police Cars to Get Video Cameras"
Belleville News-Democrat (IL) (07/11/07) P. A1; White, Lisa P.
A $46,000 federal grant will allow squad cars in Belleville, Ill. to be equipped with audio-visual recording systems. The proposed setup will include cameras that can spin 360 degrees to record suspect and officer behavior in and out of the car. Officers will also be given a microphone so they can capture sound when they are speaking to a suspect. Each camera and microphone set is expected to run the department between $2,500 and $4,500. Officers say the added protection the systems provide to police and suspects alike is worth the price tag. They point out the cameras will be particularly useful for the area's new street crimes unit, which is responsible for controlling offenses from drug deals to aggressive panhandling. http://www.bnd.com/news/local/story/78423.html
"Foot Patrols? So Yesterday as Police Segue to Segways"
Cincinnati Post (07/14/07) P. A.1; Wessels, Joe
Police in Cincinnati, Ohio are finding a new, high-tech way to keep their city safe. As a part of Cincinnati's Safe City Project, the police department has purchased two Segway Personal Transporters. Segways are two-wheeled, self-balancing transporters, capable of moving at up to 12.5 miles per hour. They can also run for a maximum distance of 24 miles on rechargeable lithium batteries. Police officers love the Segway because it increases their visibility and contact with the community, while allowing officers to pursue suspects with safety and speed. It also has the added benefit of being far more energy conscious than patrol cars. http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?
AID=/20070714/NEWS02/707140317/-1/all
"Taser Demo Proves Stunning"
Durham Herald-Sun (NC) (07/15/07); Rickard, Carolyn
The Durham, N.C., Police Department intends to buy and dispense 100 Taser stun guns to its officers by the middle of next year. Police will first give the Tasers to numerous officers on every squad, and eventually provide them to everybody on the force, according to Major B.J. Council. The department is preparing to buy the Tasers with $135,000 obtained in asset-forfeiture money. The department intends to ask the city of Durham to finance more of the Tasers starting with the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Taser International regional manager Jay Kehoe, a former police officer, claims that of every 1,000 hits with a Taser, just two will cause injury. Councilman Howard Clement, however, is concerned that police would not be correctly instructed, thereby causing injuries. Officers will be instructed for a minimum of six hours on the stun guns, police officials noted. http://www.herald-sun.com/
"Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Participates in Testing of Faster DNA Analysis"
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (FL) (07/11/07); Joyner, Rachael
Part of the Gattaca Project--a new DNA analysis technology--is being tested by the Palm Beach County, Fla.'s Sheriff's Office. On July 10, the office's forensics team processed blood samples with a machine still being devised by University of California, Berkeley scientists. The technology's objective is to reduce the time it takes to process samples of DNA, so they can be employed to locate suspects while a crime scene is still new. Right now, samples are handled in a lab, which can take weeks. The whole procedure, however, still has not been incorporated into one device: The Gattaca Project just conducts two of the four steps in a DNA study. The technology would permit law-enforcement groups to locate suspects faster, getting individuals to prison and eliminating suspects more rapidly, claims Sheriff's Office violent crimes division Lt. Jeffery Andrews. The device is a smaller version of what would be found in a lab, has the appearance of a briefcase-sized black box, and utilizes a microchip and a laser beam the size of hair to determine the length of DNA strands. The project was created with an $830,000 grant from the federal Department of Justice's National Institute of Justice. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-flpdna0711pnjul11,0,7857673.story
"Visual Trainer Keeps Police Safe"
Plain Dealer (Cleveland) (07/11/07); Boyd, Leah
A new virtual reality simulator will allow police officers to receive safe, realistic training in driving and firearms. The $320,000 simulator was created by L-3 Communications, Advanced Interactive Systems, and Tri-C's Public Training Institute's Law Enforcement Division. The driving portion of the system uses six 3-D screens to imitate the view from the windows and mirrors of a squad car. The simulation includes working brakes and wheels that react differently depending on the set weather and road conditions. The firearms part of the simulator lets officers use a laser gun which can imitate taser, pepper spray, and gun functions. The simulator records firing accuracy and reaction time. If the user makes a mistake which would have resulted in a real-life injury, they are automatically hit with a pellet gun. The entire system is contained in a 53 foot trailer that can travel to any area of the country, cutting down on the travel costs many police departments incur from sending officers to training facilities. http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer/stories/index.ssf?
/base/cuyahoga/1184142996146230.xml&coll=2
"Justice Collaboration"
Government Technology (07/09/07); Douglas, Merrill
The Justice Network (JNET) of Pennsylvania is an integrated Web portal that enables the exchange of criminal justice and public safety data, and serves 30,000 state, local, and federal users at 60-plus agencies. JNET allows authorized users access to data from systems that receive input from numerous stakeholders, and its features include a facial recognition system and a pilot of a system that automatically disseminates warrant information. Deputy CIO for the Public Safety Community of Practice in the Office of Administration Brenda Kaczmarek says JNET's uniqueness is derived from its status as an enterprise project, which means that the network answers to not just the state's Office for Information Technology, but also to its primary stakeholder agencies such as the Pennsylvania State Police, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Department of Corrections. "My role as executive director is to ensure that the projects we're working on are meeting the requirements of the agencies that requested them," explains JNET's Philip Tomassini. JNET's annual operating budget is $8.8 million. JNET is required to comply with the same IT standards and procedures applicable to every other state organization in Pennsylvania, according to state CIO and deputy secretary for information technology Kristen Miller. http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/125493
"Security a Priority for County Offices"
Beaumont Enterprise (07/10/07); Moore, Sarah
On July 9, Jefferson County, Texas, officials and county workers convened to talk about increasing courthouse security. A recent hostage standoff generated concerns about the Jefferson County Courthouse's risks. A committee that convened early in 2007 listed nine priorities to be dealt with in regards to courthouse security, including metal detectors and X-ray machines at courthouse entrances, security cameras across the facility, and security badges for staff. In presenting its suggestions, the committee returned to a report created by a consultant many years ago when commissioners started studying perimeter security. Commissioner Eddie Arnold stated that the consultant mentioned a startup price of $250,000 to $500,000, with an annual price of between $300,000 and $400,000 to maintain the system and provide staff. Increasing expenses would likely raise those figures between 20 percent and 30 percent, Arnold noted. He also pointed out the figure did not take into account a security-based system, which could cost an additional $50,000 to $100,000, including security entrances. Arnold stated that the matter would be discussed starting the week of July 16 during county budget hearings. http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=18567412
&BRD=2287&PAG=461&dept_id=512588&rfi=8
"Drug Task Forces Evolve"
Myrtle Beach Sun News (SC) (07/10/07) P. A1; Hoke, Josh
Law-enforcement groups in North and South Carolina are using new strategies and equipment--including video tracking and drug-detection gadgets--to help them more effectively catch and try drug violators. The efforts are overseen by the 15th Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit, an almost two-year-old group. The agency is comprised of officers from police agencies throughout Horry County, S.C., and it handles investigation data from the county. That data is then sent to regional police departments, which upgrades information-sharing and prevents dual investigations. Background checks by the task force permit police to monitor phone records and will soon provide officials with a way to facilitate drug-dealer prosecution. The National Guard has bought a $6,000 printer that will enable authorities to portray cartels in a picture that has a similar appearance to a family tree and will include names, photos, and additional information. The agency will also be able to utilize a thermal imaging system that permits police to search inside a house without having to obtain a search warrant, as officers will be able to employ it from the road, which is public land. The imaging system will notify police about facilities that have internal drug operations. http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/story/123872.html
"Massachusetts Becomes First State to Fully Implement Iris Biometric Technology"
Business Wire (07/10/07)
In May 2005, Hampshire County Massachusetts Sheriff Robert Garvey helped launch the Children's Identification and Location Database (The CHILD Project). His office was the first to become part of a secure nationwide network and registry that enables law enforcement and social service agencies to positively identify missing children and adults through biometric technology. Based on his success, the Massachusetts Sheriffs' Association was able to secure state funding, which allowed them to obtain the systems for each of the Commonwealth's fourteen sheriffs. Developed by Plymouth, Massachusetts based BI2 Technologies, the easy-to-use systems were implemented across the Commonwealth in less than one month. In less than two years, Sheriff Garvey's initial idea has already expanded into 25 states and has grown into a national system that can also track inmates and sex offenders through the use of iris biometric recognition technology. BI2 Technologies uses a specialized video camera to capture a detailed close-up of a person's iris and then system's biometric software makes a template or 'map' of each iris pattern, for storage in the registry. To verify identity later, an individual simply looks back into an iris camera, and the system compares the patterns in the individual's iris against the templates stored in the system. If there's a match, the identity is verified within seconds. "A single click of the camera could help make the difference between a missing child or senior citizen winding up in harms way or making it home safely," said Sheriff Garvey. Other sheriffs across the nation were quick to recognize the benefits of Iris Recognition Technology and expanded its use beyond identifying missing children and adults. Sheriff Jim Pendergraph of Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, North Carolina led the charge. Working with the Sheriff's Office, BI2 Technologies expanded their technology to develop a system that tracks inmates from intake through release and another that can positively identify convicted sex offenders anywhere in the nation in a matter of seconds. The Inmate Recognition & Identification System (IRIS) eliminates the possibility of human error from the release process by requiring iris recognition, giving sheriffs the confidence that only those inmates scheduled for release will be released. "I believe today, agencies across the country need to avail themselves of the newest, most effective technologies in our efforts to serve the community," said Sheriff Pendergraph. "To this end, the Mecklenburg county Sheriff's Office recently implemented the use of IRIS in our operations. Our intent is to use this highly advanced technology across multiple areas of the agency - from inmate intake and release to verification of sex offender identity." http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070710006485&newsLang=en
"Never Bring a Taser to a Gunfight"
Police Magazine (06/07) Vol. 31, No. 6, P. 40; Guilbault, Rick
Experts say restricting TASER gun use to deadly force situations is a mistake that poses a threat to police officers and criminals. Rising pressure from lawmakers and special interest groups to restrict TASER gun use has pushed the issue to the forefront, but law enforcement officers, and even some legal experts, agree that such restrictions will result in more deaths. "There is significant pressure in some segments of the community to put electronic control device use at or just below lethal force. [This is] naive [and] it gives officers a dangerous choice and will lead to more deaths," asserts Scott Greenwood, general counsel to the National Board of the ACLU. The argument has brought confusion to an area, where until recently, officers had clarity. Though use-of-force policies vary from agency to agency, police officers have sufficient training to rightly assess how to respond in an emergency and should have the freedom to use any weapon at their disposal. www.policemag.com
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Law Enforcement Technology
NLECTC Law Enforcement & Corrections Technology News Summary
Thursday, June 28, 2007
"Fingerprint Analyst Helps Solve Crime Mysteries"
Miami Herald (06/25/07); Tablac, Angela
Fingerprint analysis in the Miami-Dade police department runs continuously on a 24/7 schedule, staffed by 32 analysts who process a minimum of 80 fingerprints a day. Analysis entails comparison of collected prints to databases to identify dead bodies, criminals, and prisoners. Each set of fingerprints goes through multiple levels of verification; matches in a database are manually verified by at least two analysts who look for several similar characteristics between the collected print and the database entry. In addition, analysts are often called to provide testimony in criminal trials where fingerprint evidence is relevant. Fingerprint analysis is often an attractive career to those who have some background in criminal justice but who opt not to become police officers; initial training takes eight weeks, and analysts take supplementary training sessions annually. In addition, they can obtain additional fingerprint classification certification from the FBI. http://www.miamiherald.com/154/story/148703.html
"Computers in Cruisers Give More Data Faster"
Star-Ledger (NJ) (06/22/07) P. 25; Walsh, Diane C.
Middlesex County, N.J., officials have revealed that from patrol car mobile computers, officers between New Brunswick, Woodbridge, Highland Park, and Plainsboro will be able to communicate with each other. In 2005, a program was launched that bridged databases between the prosecutors, sheriffs, and county jails to promote advanced communications among agencies. "It's an example of taking advantage of new technology to fight crime," said Freeholder Christopher Rafano, overseer of the county law enforcement agencies. Through AT&T, the system was implemented at $358,726; each additional town under the system costs $40,000. Law enforcement officials say the system has allowed for instantaneous information and that the program's expansion among counties will serve as a powerful tool for combating crime.
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/union/index.ssf?/
base/news-2/1182486863153150.xml&coll=1
"DNA Advances Led to Rape Suspect"
Journal-World (Lawrence, Kan.) (06/22/07); Reid, Janet
Strides in technology led to the review of cold cases from the 1990s that allowed investigators to trail and charge a serial rapist more than 10 years after the crime was committed. In 1995, the DNA sample needed for analysis in rape cases had to be at least the size of a quarter; now, only a sample the size of a pinhead is needed. When a rape victim from a 1995 incident called police, investigators retested DNA evidence from her case along with a 1993 and 1994 incident. Using the FBI's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), police found a match between the DNA of a man who had been entered into the system on petty theft charges and the DNA from all three cases. Lawrence police Sgt. Dan Ward said, "These cases are horrendous, and the three young women have dealt with a lot ... [N]ow they're going to see justice."
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/jun/22/dna_advances_led_rape_suspect/
"Cameras May Go Up Soon"
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (06/24/07) P. B6; Sandler, Larry
Despite opposition from Milwaukee's Common Council, Mayor Tom Barrett has moved to implement a $1 million-plus program that would install cameras in high-crime areas in the city. The cameras would be monitored via fiber-optic connections and five mobile cameras would be shared among police departments. Barrett had the support of locals and the council's Public Safety Committee until over $500,000 was sought from the council's Finance & Personnel Committee. Council representatives claimed the funds should have been included in the mayor's budget, while Barrett said that aldermen should have no trouble footing the costs for the technology if they advocated the cameras' installation. Council President Willie Hines Jr. said Barrett should have anticipated costs accordingly, yet he and the mayor have reached an agreement whereby the contingency fund will not be tapped into and the project will be funded by public works and police accounts with an additional $404,000 from government assistance. http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=623825
"Waynesville P.D. Goes High Tech"
The Mountaineer (NC) (06/20/07); Pleming, Beth
The Waynesville, N.C., Police Department has experienced several technological upgrades recently, including access to the new program RAMBLER. When an accident takes place, warrants are dispensed, or a person is arrested, the report is electronically filed and made accessible to each law enforcement group connected to that software. Another improvement is new in-vehicle computers that permit police personnel to fill out incident and arrest reports in their cars, which means additional time spent on the road performing law enforcement and less time in the office entering information into a computer. Meanwhile, new laptops enable officers to perform a check for other data such as criminal backgrounds, car and license information, and outstanding active warrant notification. Golden Eagle radar devices allow offers to determine the speed of cars that are moving in any direction, including vehicles driving in front of patrol cars and coming from behind. The stealth stat is a radar system that is erected on the side of a road linked to a statistic recording machine that gets the speed and identity of passing cars. Waynesville Police are also using video analysis systems, specifically dTective by Ocean Systems, to study video surveillance recordings in order to identify and arrest thieves.
http://themountaineer.com/cms/display/Top_Stories/pageDisplay.
php?page2display=1182319200*0618%20WPD%20goes%20high%20tech.inc
"Flexible and Fearless, Seeking Rescue Work"
New York Times (06/25/07) P. A12; Blumenthal, Ralph
Texas A&M University's Texas Engineering Extension Service operates a 52-acre "Disaster City" where fire fighters and other emergency responders from across the globe can participate in training exercises. The site was recently the scene of a robotics exercise sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate and the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology. Several varieties of rescue robots participated in the exercise, which included obstacle courses based on mock set-ups of the Oklahoma City bombing, 1993 World Trade Center bombing, and Mexico City earthquake. The robots included a 30-foot, snake-like optic robot that slinks through crevasses and holes while providing images of its discoveries. That robot, produced by university researchers in Japan, is attached to the operator's body, unlike most robots, which are operated via consoles or laptops. One Texas A&M official predicted that robots will soon become a regular part of rescue work.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/25/washington/25robots.html?_r=1&
adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1182777048-K9v0+v7okjZ5hJp6ZJ8Ghw
"Law Enforcement Gets an Upgrade"
Spokesman Review (06/20/07) P. B1; Lawrence-Turner, Jody
Police in Spokane, Wash., have received several new technologically-advanced devices recently, including durable laptop computers, which replace mobile data computers formerly found in police patrol vehicles. The laptops, which cost around $5,500 apiece, are updated every day with information concerning suspects. Dashboard cameras are placed on the inside of a police car and record the actions of an officer, and cost around $7,800 each, while Global Positioning Systems, which cost between $450 and $475 for each patrol car, enable police dispatchers to know where patrol units are all the time by examining a computer screen. Meanwhile, electronic ticketing (e-tickets) permit traffic officers to employ a scanner to acquire data from the bar code on the rear side of a driver's license and enable an officer at the scene of an accident to create diagrams of the event utilizing a software program. The e-ticketing printers cost $425 each while the bar-code scanners cost $390 each. Officials note that over three-fourths of the financing for the equipment is provided by grants. On July 18, Spokane police stated they will pursue over $4 million in federal grants for both the city and county that is set aside for technological upgrades and purchases.
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/local/story.asp?ID=195682
"Jersey City 'Court TV'"
Jersey Journal (06/20/07); Pearson, Bernette
The Jersey City Municipal Court introduced on June 19 videoconferencing, which will allow inmates throughout New Jersey to argue their cases from prison while the judge, prosecutor, and public defender remain at the court. Chief Judge Wanda Molina notes that videoconferencing assists in reducing security threats, health risks, and travel expenses. Officers typically assigned to moving inmates can now be assigned to other prisoners in New Jersey facilities that can have their cases heard faster, she adds. The technology is already used at New Jersey Superior Court in Jersey City and at another five municipal courts in Hudson County. Molina states that municipal courts handle around 20 misdemeanor cases each day, including assault and drug cases. The cameras function through T-1 lines, similar to a video phone call but on a bigger scale. An inmate will sit in a wired room in the prison and view the court proceedings on a TV screen with a police officer close by. The individual charged presents a plea and then a trial date is scheduled or other arrangements are set.
http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/
base/news-4/1182319381146570.xml&coll=3
"'Stepping Out' Suspended After Death of Howard Officer"
Baltimore Sun (06/26/07)
The death of a Howard County police officer during a traffic enforcement operation on Route 32, near I-95, caused the Howard County police department and the nearby Anne Arundel County police department to suspend their "stepping out" policies. A team of two officers is used on occasion to stop speeders on highways and other roads; one officer mans the radar equipment, while the other steps into traffic to flag down speeders. Howard County officers will no longer step into traffic on roads with speed limits above 35 mph, and Anne Arundel County officers will not step out into traffic to catch speeders at all. Both departments plan to extensively review the policy and determine how it can be improved to prevent needless officers' deaths and still enforce traffic laws effectively.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.
digest26jun26,1,7581568.story?ctrack=2&cset=true
"Cities Using Cameras Admit Tapes as Court Evidence"
Oklahoman (06/21/07) P. 14A; Bisbee, Julie
About 40 police cars in Ardmore, Okla., will be equipped with dashboard-mounted cameras. The police department there hopes the cameras will help officers record suspect behavior, and help protect officers from any false allegations of misconduct. Many cities that have already instituted this technology are allowing the video and audio from patrol cars to be admitted as trial evidence. This policy prevents defendants from denying or reinterpreting their actions in front of a judge or jury. http://newsok.com/article/3068821
"Police Lift Hold on Buying Tasers"
Lexington Herald-Leader (KY) (06/19/07) P. B1; Ku, Michelle
City council members in Lexington, Ky., have recently approved the purchase of 50 Tasers for the 50 new police officers the city will be taking on in the next year. The Lexington police department had previously instituted a ban on the use of Tasers because of reports that the weapons were responsible for upwards of 200 deaths in the United States. The department has lifted the ban after reviewing several studies which concluded stun guns alone were not responsible for fatalities. When used properly, Tasers offer police a safer option to subdue suspects. All Lexington officers receive extensive training on the use of these weapons in order to avoid abuse. http://www.kentucky.com/211/story/101705.html
"Unmanned Aircraft Assist for U.S. Hunt in Explosives"
Wall Street Journal (06/17/07); Pasztor, Andy
American military forces and their Iraqi allies are employing more sophisticated technologies, including tiny unmanned aircraft constructed by Honeywell International Inc. to attempt to locate deadly explosive gadgets concealed on the battlefront. Honeywell has implemented infrared cameras and additional sensors on small, remotely-operated helicopter-type devices, known as Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs), that can sit right above suspect sites and transmit images back to soldiers employing a portable handheld terminal. Thought to be the initial unmanned aerial vehicle of its kind specifically used in Iraq to uncover hidden explosives, the MAV weighs around 14 pounds, lifts off vertically, and can function at altitudes from just a fewer inches off the ground to over 10,000 feet. Barely one foot in diameter, the MAVs can fly at over 50 miles an hour. They are part of the firm's effort to create new surveillance technologies to increase its military, space, and homeland security operations. The introduction is part of a wider trend to create more innovative equipment to locate and take apart Improvised Explosive Devices, responsible for the bulk of American deaths in the combat in Iraq. The action occurs as British forces are moving toward utilizing high-tech radars created by a Raytheon division to look for these devices from much greater altitudes. http://online.wsj.com/article_print/SB118212024940938400.html
"Interoperability Academy Takes the Static Out of Emergency Communications"
County News (06/04/07) Vol. 39, No. 11, P. 3; Lopes, Rocky
At the May NACo/National League of Cities Interoperability Policy Academy conference, local government officials discussed how they could improve the interoperability of communications through governance, standard operating procedures, technology, training, and exercises. As part of the suggested improvements to governance, officials highlighted the need for greater cooperation among regional officials as well as an avenue through which first responders could offer feedback about the system. Experts also suggested the establishment of standard operating procedures to ensure all personnel, despite where they are located, can successfully use communications equipment and designated channels. However, National Institutes of Standards and Technology Program Manager Dereck Orr noted, "Soon, data may be more important than voice, so having equipment that can share data across platforms is critical," a notion that fed into the call for technology upgrades. One major obstacle for these counties and local government officials is where to garner the funding for upgrades, especially if they are not part of the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI). Grant writers and experts were on hand to help officials apply for money to cover the costs of interoperability upgrades and training, but most indicated that multi-agency plans or multi-jurisdictional plans were the likeliest candidates for grant allocation. Other officials cited the plans underway in their regions, including Minnesota, which has hospitals, police, and fire departments coordinating their emergency response plans to ensure success and continuous training for workers.
http://www.naco.org/CountyNewsTemplate.cfm?template=/
ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=23792
"Evacuation Software Finds Best Way to Route Millions of Vehicles"
University of Arizona (06/11/07); Stiles, Ed
University of Arizona assistant professor of civil engineering Yi-Chang Chiu has been developing Multi-Resolution Assignment and Loading of Traffic Activities (MALTA), software designed to simulate large-scale evacuations during a disaster to help transportation officials determine the best traffic management strategy. "Solving large-scale evacuation problems is overwhelming," Chiu says. "No one can just sit down with a map and draw lines and figure out the best answer to problems like these." Chiu says MALTA reacts to a situation in real time, adjusting as the scenario changes. The software relies on detailed traffic census data collected by state and city transportation departments, as well as real-time traffic surveillance data. The software predicts actions drivers may take, such as when they leave and what road they take, and adjusts for factors that may alter drivers' plans, such as radio reports, congestion, and freeway message boards. The program is also able to predict airborne hazards, such as toxic gas from a refinery fire. By using air-plume dispersion models and wind direction, speed, and temperature, the program can calculate health risks and potential casualties. The program also provides post-disaster assistance by helping officials make choices such as which highway to repair and open first. Chiu says MALTA will be ready soon for state transportation and emergency medical agencies. The next generation of MALTA uses parallel processing and is designed to run faster, handle larger networks, and respond minute-by-minute to real-time emergencies.
http://uanews.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/UANews.woa/
35/wa/MainStoryDetails?ArticleID=13956
"City Spends Millions on Cop Car Crashes"
Northwest Indiana News (06/06/07); Luntz, Taryn
The Tulsa Police Department reports a disproportionate number of police accidents that occur during law enforcement pursuits. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports although police pursuits take the life of one person a day, police departments are not required to track these incidences. "A department that's not tracking pursuits is asking for trouble," and officials note incidences involving firearms are not neglected like police pursuit accidents. In 2006, Chicago spent $7 million on settling lawsuits involving police pursuits, and usually, lawsuits become classified as "motor vehicle accidents" when pedestrians are hit or accidents occur at intersections. Experts note that police departments taking the time to investigate average pursuit speeds, numbers of injuries, and numbers of deaths related to police pursuits are better equipped to institute policies to reduce those numbers through officer training programs focusing on driving skills.; the Chicago Police Department's vehicle pursuit policy does not refer to any driver training programs for officers.
http://nwitimes.com/articles/2007/06/06/news/
illiana/doc7ef0e3f776a0c0e9862572f2000ab951.txt
Thursday, June 28, 2007
"Fingerprint Analyst Helps Solve Crime Mysteries"
Miami Herald (06/25/07); Tablac, Angela
Fingerprint analysis in the Miami-Dade police department runs continuously on a 24/7 schedule, staffed by 32 analysts who process a minimum of 80 fingerprints a day. Analysis entails comparison of collected prints to databases to identify dead bodies, criminals, and prisoners. Each set of fingerprints goes through multiple levels of verification; matches in a database are manually verified by at least two analysts who look for several similar characteristics between the collected print and the database entry. In addition, analysts are often called to provide testimony in criminal trials where fingerprint evidence is relevant. Fingerprint analysis is often an attractive career to those who have some background in criminal justice but who opt not to become police officers; initial training takes eight weeks, and analysts take supplementary training sessions annually. In addition, they can obtain additional fingerprint classification certification from the FBI. http://www.miamiherald.com/154/story/148703.html
"Computers in Cruisers Give More Data Faster"
Star-Ledger (NJ) (06/22/07) P. 25; Walsh, Diane C.
Middlesex County, N.J., officials have revealed that from patrol car mobile computers, officers between New Brunswick, Woodbridge, Highland Park, and Plainsboro will be able to communicate with each other. In 2005, a program was launched that bridged databases between the prosecutors, sheriffs, and county jails to promote advanced communications among agencies. "It's an example of taking advantage of new technology to fight crime," said Freeholder Christopher Rafano, overseer of the county law enforcement agencies. Through AT&T, the system was implemented at $358,726; each additional town under the system costs $40,000. Law enforcement officials say the system has allowed for instantaneous information and that the program's expansion among counties will serve as a powerful tool for combating crime.
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/union/index.ssf?/
base/news-2/1182486863153150.xml&coll=1
"DNA Advances Led to Rape Suspect"
Journal-World (Lawrence, Kan.) (06/22/07); Reid, Janet
Strides in technology led to the review of cold cases from the 1990s that allowed investigators to trail and charge a serial rapist more than 10 years after the crime was committed. In 1995, the DNA sample needed for analysis in rape cases had to be at least the size of a quarter; now, only a sample the size of a pinhead is needed. When a rape victim from a 1995 incident called police, investigators retested DNA evidence from her case along with a 1993 and 1994 incident. Using the FBI's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), police found a match between the DNA of a man who had been entered into the system on petty theft charges and the DNA from all three cases. Lawrence police Sgt. Dan Ward said, "These cases are horrendous, and the three young women have dealt with a lot ... [N]ow they're going to see justice."
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/jun/22/dna_advances_led_rape_suspect/
"Cameras May Go Up Soon"
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (06/24/07) P. B6; Sandler, Larry
Despite opposition from Milwaukee's Common Council, Mayor Tom Barrett has moved to implement a $1 million-plus program that would install cameras in high-crime areas in the city. The cameras would be monitored via fiber-optic connections and five mobile cameras would be shared among police departments. Barrett had the support of locals and the council's Public Safety Committee until over $500,000 was sought from the council's Finance & Personnel Committee. Council representatives claimed the funds should have been included in the mayor's budget, while Barrett said that aldermen should have no trouble footing the costs for the technology if they advocated the cameras' installation. Council President Willie Hines Jr. said Barrett should have anticipated costs accordingly, yet he and the mayor have reached an agreement whereby the contingency fund will not be tapped into and the project will be funded by public works and police accounts with an additional $404,000 from government assistance. http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=623825
"Waynesville P.D. Goes High Tech"
The Mountaineer (NC) (06/20/07); Pleming, Beth
The Waynesville, N.C., Police Department has experienced several technological upgrades recently, including access to the new program RAMBLER. When an accident takes place, warrants are dispensed, or a person is arrested, the report is electronically filed and made accessible to each law enforcement group connected to that software. Another improvement is new in-vehicle computers that permit police personnel to fill out incident and arrest reports in their cars, which means additional time spent on the road performing law enforcement and less time in the office entering information into a computer. Meanwhile, new laptops enable officers to perform a check for other data such as criminal backgrounds, car and license information, and outstanding active warrant notification. Golden Eagle radar devices allow offers to determine the speed of cars that are moving in any direction, including vehicles driving in front of patrol cars and coming from behind. The stealth stat is a radar system that is erected on the side of a road linked to a statistic recording machine that gets the speed and identity of passing cars. Waynesville Police are also using video analysis systems, specifically dTective by Ocean Systems, to study video surveillance recordings in order to identify and arrest thieves.
http://themountaineer.com/cms/display/Top_Stories/pageDisplay.
php?page2display=1182319200*0618%20WPD%20goes%20high%20tech.inc
"Flexible and Fearless, Seeking Rescue Work"
New York Times (06/25/07) P. A12; Blumenthal, Ralph
Texas A&M University's Texas Engineering Extension Service operates a 52-acre "Disaster City" where fire fighters and other emergency responders from across the globe can participate in training exercises. The site was recently the scene of a robotics exercise sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate and the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology. Several varieties of rescue robots participated in the exercise, which included obstacle courses based on mock set-ups of the Oklahoma City bombing, 1993 World Trade Center bombing, and Mexico City earthquake. The robots included a 30-foot, snake-like optic robot that slinks through crevasses and holes while providing images of its discoveries. That robot, produced by university researchers in Japan, is attached to the operator's body, unlike most robots, which are operated via consoles or laptops. One Texas A&M official predicted that robots will soon become a regular part of rescue work.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/25/washington/25robots.html?_r=1&
adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1182777048-K9v0+v7okjZ5hJp6ZJ8Ghw
"Law Enforcement Gets an Upgrade"
Spokesman Review (06/20/07) P. B1; Lawrence-Turner, Jody
Police in Spokane, Wash., have received several new technologically-advanced devices recently, including durable laptop computers, which replace mobile data computers formerly found in police patrol vehicles. The laptops, which cost around $5,500 apiece, are updated every day with information concerning suspects. Dashboard cameras are placed on the inside of a police car and record the actions of an officer, and cost around $7,800 each, while Global Positioning Systems, which cost between $450 and $475 for each patrol car, enable police dispatchers to know where patrol units are all the time by examining a computer screen. Meanwhile, electronic ticketing (e-tickets) permit traffic officers to employ a scanner to acquire data from the bar code on the rear side of a driver's license and enable an officer at the scene of an accident to create diagrams of the event utilizing a software program. The e-ticketing printers cost $425 each while the bar-code scanners cost $390 each. Officials note that over three-fourths of the financing for the equipment is provided by grants. On July 18, Spokane police stated they will pursue over $4 million in federal grants for both the city and county that is set aside for technological upgrades and purchases.
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/local/story.asp?ID=195682
"Jersey City 'Court TV'"
Jersey Journal (06/20/07); Pearson, Bernette
The Jersey City Municipal Court introduced on June 19 videoconferencing, which will allow inmates throughout New Jersey to argue their cases from prison while the judge, prosecutor, and public defender remain at the court. Chief Judge Wanda Molina notes that videoconferencing assists in reducing security threats, health risks, and travel expenses. Officers typically assigned to moving inmates can now be assigned to other prisoners in New Jersey facilities that can have their cases heard faster, she adds. The technology is already used at New Jersey Superior Court in Jersey City and at another five municipal courts in Hudson County. Molina states that municipal courts handle around 20 misdemeanor cases each day, including assault and drug cases. The cameras function through T-1 lines, similar to a video phone call but on a bigger scale. An inmate will sit in a wired room in the prison and view the court proceedings on a TV screen with a police officer close by. The individual charged presents a plea and then a trial date is scheduled or other arrangements are set.
http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/
base/news-4/1182319381146570.xml&coll=3
"'Stepping Out' Suspended After Death of Howard Officer"
Baltimore Sun (06/26/07)
The death of a Howard County police officer during a traffic enforcement operation on Route 32, near I-95, caused the Howard County police department and the nearby Anne Arundel County police department to suspend their "stepping out" policies. A team of two officers is used on occasion to stop speeders on highways and other roads; one officer mans the radar equipment, while the other steps into traffic to flag down speeders. Howard County officers will no longer step into traffic on roads with speed limits above 35 mph, and Anne Arundel County officers will not step out into traffic to catch speeders at all. Both departments plan to extensively review the policy and determine how it can be improved to prevent needless officers' deaths and still enforce traffic laws effectively.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.
digest26jun26,1,7581568.story?ctrack=2&cset=true
"Cities Using Cameras Admit Tapes as Court Evidence"
Oklahoman (06/21/07) P. 14A; Bisbee, Julie
About 40 police cars in Ardmore, Okla., will be equipped with dashboard-mounted cameras. The police department there hopes the cameras will help officers record suspect behavior, and help protect officers from any false allegations of misconduct. Many cities that have already instituted this technology are allowing the video and audio from patrol cars to be admitted as trial evidence. This policy prevents defendants from denying or reinterpreting their actions in front of a judge or jury. http://newsok.com/article/3068821
"Police Lift Hold on Buying Tasers"
Lexington Herald-Leader (KY) (06/19/07) P. B1; Ku, Michelle
City council members in Lexington, Ky., have recently approved the purchase of 50 Tasers for the 50 new police officers the city will be taking on in the next year. The Lexington police department had previously instituted a ban on the use of Tasers because of reports that the weapons were responsible for upwards of 200 deaths in the United States. The department has lifted the ban after reviewing several studies which concluded stun guns alone were not responsible for fatalities. When used properly, Tasers offer police a safer option to subdue suspects. All Lexington officers receive extensive training on the use of these weapons in order to avoid abuse. http://www.kentucky.com/211/story/101705.html
"Unmanned Aircraft Assist for U.S. Hunt in Explosives"
Wall Street Journal (06/17/07); Pasztor, Andy
American military forces and their Iraqi allies are employing more sophisticated technologies, including tiny unmanned aircraft constructed by Honeywell International Inc. to attempt to locate deadly explosive gadgets concealed on the battlefront. Honeywell has implemented infrared cameras and additional sensors on small, remotely-operated helicopter-type devices, known as Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs), that can sit right above suspect sites and transmit images back to soldiers employing a portable handheld terminal. Thought to be the initial unmanned aerial vehicle of its kind specifically used in Iraq to uncover hidden explosives, the MAV weighs around 14 pounds, lifts off vertically, and can function at altitudes from just a fewer inches off the ground to over 10,000 feet. Barely one foot in diameter, the MAVs can fly at over 50 miles an hour. They are part of the firm's effort to create new surveillance technologies to increase its military, space, and homeland security operations. The introduction is part of a wider trend to create more innovative equipment to locate and take apart Improvised Explosive Devices, responsible for the bulk of American deaths in the combat in Iraq. The action occurs as British forces are moving toward utilizing high-tech radars created by a Raytheon division to look for these devices from much greater altitudes. http://online.wsj.com/article_print/SB118212024940938400.html
"Interoperability Academy Takes the Static Out of Emergency Communications"
County News (06/04/07) Vol. 39, No. 11, P. 3; Lopes, Rocky
At the May NACo/National League of Cities Interoperability Policy Academy conference, local government officials discussed how they could improve the interoperability of communications through governance, standard operating procedures, technology, training, and exercises. As part of the suggested improvements to governance, officials highlighted the need for greater cooperation among regional officials as well as an avenue through which first responders could offer feedback about the system. Experts also suggested the establishment of standard operating procedures to ensure all personnel, despite where they are located, can successfully use communications equipment and designated channels. However, National Institutes of Standards and Technology Program Manager Dereck Orr noted, "Soon, data may be more important than voice, so having equipment that can share data across platforms is critical," a notion that fed into the call for technology upgrades. One major obstacle for these counties and local government officials is where to garner the funding for upgrades, especially if they are not part of the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI). Grant writers and experts were on hand to help officials apply for money to cover the costs of interoperability upgrades and training, but most indicated that multi-agency plans or multi-jurisdictional plans were the likeliest candidates for grant allocation. Other officials cited the plans underway in their regions, including Minnesota, which has hospitals, police, and fire departments coordinating their emergency response plans to ensure success and continuous training for workers.
http://www.naco.org/CountyNewsTemplate.cfm?template=/
ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=23792
"Evacuation Software Finds Best Way to Route Millions of Vehicles"
University of Arizona (06/11/07); Stiles, Ed
University of Arizona assistant professor of civil engineering Yi-Chang Chiu has been developing Multi-Resolution Assignment and Loading of Traffic Activities (MALTA), software designed to simulate large-scale evacuations during a disaster to help transportation officials determine the best traffic management strategy. "Solving large-scale evacuation problems is overwhelming," Chiu says. "No one can just sit down with a map and draw lines and figure out the best answer to problems like these." Chiu says MALTA reacts to a situation in real time, adjusting as the scenario changes. The software relies on detailed traffic census data collected by state and city transportation departments, as well as real-time traffic surveillance data. The software predicts actions drivers may take, such as when they leave and what road they take, and adjusts for factors that may alter drivers' plans, such as radio reports, congestion, and freeway message boards. The program is also able to predict airborne hazards, such as toxic gas from a refinery fire. By using air-plume dispersion models and wind direction, speed, and temperature, the program can calculate health risks and potential casualties. The program also provides post-disaster assistance by helping officials make choices such as which highway to repair and open first. Chiu says MALTA will be ready soon for state transportation and emergency medical agencies. The next generation of MALTA uses parallel processing and is designed to run faster, handle larger networks, and respond minute-by-minute to real-time emergencies.
http://uanews.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/UANews.woa/
35/wa/MainStoryDetails?ArticleID=13956
"City Spends Millions on Cop Car Crashes"
Northwest Indiana News (06/06/07); Luntz, Taryn
The Tulsa Police Department reports a disproportionate number of police accidents that occur during law enforcement pursuits. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports although police pursuits take the life of one person a day, police departments are not required to track these incidences. "A department that's not tracking pursuits is asking for trouble," and officials note incidences involving firearms are not neglected like police pursuit accidents. In 2006, Chicago spent $7 million on settling lawsuits involving police pursuits, and usually, lawsuits become classified as "motor vehicle accidents" when pedestrians are hit or accidents occur at intersections. Experts note that police departments taking the time to investigate average pursuit speeds, numbers of injuries, and numbers of deaths related to police pursuits are better equipped to institute policies to reduce those numbers through officer training programs focusing on driving skills.; the Chicago Police Department's vehicle pursuit policy does not refer to any driver training programs for officers.
http://nwitimes.com/articles/2007/06/06/news/
illiana/doc7ef0e3f776a0c0e9862572f2000ab951.txt
Friday, June 08, 2007
Law Enforcement Technology News Summaries
NLECTC Law Enforcement & Corrections Technology News Summary
Thursday, June 7, 2007
"GPS Tracking of Offenders"
Deseret Morning News (06/03/07); Winslow, Ben
TrackerPAL is a recently released violator monitoring system that combines GPS, computer, and cell-phone technology into one miniscule unit fueled by a 20-hour battery. The waterproof gadget straps to a violator's ankle and monitors his movements utilizing GPS technology. At an around-the-clock monitoring center in Sandy, Utah, workers follow dozens of violators' locations. If the offenders go someplace they are not allowed, an alert appears on the screen. The TrackerPAL's cell unit permits operators and violators to speak with each other and can notify police or probation officers. In addition, it emits a 95-decibel siren if the violator wanders into a prohibited area or is hiding when authorities are looking for him. The software can be authorized to include off-limits locations, such as schools and parks. Although a violator can be followed to within 50 meters, TrackerPAL is restricted in that urban settings can cause signal problems. http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,660226365,00.html
"County, Local Police Disagree on System to Link Databases"
Times Herald-Record (NY) (06/04/07); McKenna, Chris
Although it has been two years since officials in Orange County, N.Y., proposed creating a computer network for every police department in the county to share access to arrest reports, mugshots, and other records, only a partial network initiated by the police, not the county, exists today. Police chiefs are hoping that the county will adopt a program that is in use at 13 of the 31 departments. However, county officials are pursuing a method for linking records from different computer systems that would allow each department to keep its existing system. "Different agencies want to use different software to meet their needs," said Orange County Emergency Services Commissioner Walter Koury. "Let the software be the decision of each agency, but we will create a solution so that they will still be able to share data." The potential cost of such a system has not yet been determined, Koury said.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/
20070604/NEWS/706040329/-1/NEWS
"Airport Protection System on the Way"
New York Newsday (06/05/07); Eisenberg, Carol
A $138 million, 57-mile system of sensors that will incorporate radar, video motion detectors, thermal imagers, and closed-circuit television is being erected around the perimeters of John F. Kennedy International (JFK), LaGuardia, Newark Liberty International, and Teterboro Airport. Designed by Raytheon, the virtual fence is already in use at Ben-Gurion International in Tel Aviv and Baghdad's airport. The system was in the works before the alleged plot to attack JFK was uncovered and is designed to prevent such an attack. "If you can't breach the perimeter of the airport, you can't reach the fuel farms," said one unnamed official. The system would send data in realtime to a central Port Authority Police station and airport command posts and will be another layer in airport security. But former head of security at Ben-Gurion Rafi Ron notes that the system will be useless if not combined with an adequate response force. "The question is not only detecting an intrusion but being able to respond to it in due time," says Ron, who now heads a transportation security firm in McLean, Va. "I think that most U.S. airports are relatively quick to invest in the technology, but fail to provide the human resources to respond to the detection when it occurs." The system should be operational by early next year.
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-usair055243304jun05,
0,3104587,print.story?coll=ny-nationalnews-print
"Chicago Police Make Return to the Skies"
Chicago Sun-Times (06/01/07) P. 16; Spielman, Fran
Police in Chicago recently acquired a new, $2.1 million helicopter through Homeland Security funds that features night vision instrumentation that lets officers who wear special goggles see in the dark. The new helicopter also has a searchlight and a gamma radiation detector designed to help find such things as dirty bombs. In addition, it has a LoJack detection system for pinpointing stolen automobiles as well as a special map system. Its robust video cameras can downlink images to the city's 911 emergency center. Chicago's police department also has a helicopter previously used by the fire department that was retrofitted in 2006 for police use. http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/410147,CST-NWS-heli01.article
"Tavares Gets Own 911 System"
Orlando Sentinel (FL) (06/03/07) P. J1; Comas, Martin E.
Tavares, Fla., recently introduced its new 911 dispatching service. A minimum of two dispatchers will be available around-the-clock in City Hall, fielding calls for police service. Though the initial emergency calls began coming in on May 31 as Tavares began transferring sections of the city over to the new system, June 1 was the initial whole day the 911 system was totally operational. The system is necessary to handle the city's rapidly-expanding population and increasing amount of emergency calls. In 2006, Tavares police officers answered around 25,440 calls, a 47 percent gain over 2003. Employing highly innovative requirement, the Tavares dispatchers monitor four screens, and can determine the location of each 911 call that comes in, including those placed from the majority of cell phones. The system will eventually be improved so that it will inform dispatchers of every patrol vehicle's precise location. The new emergency communications system will cost Tavares around $500,000 initially; the expenses include buying equipment and paying for salaries and instruction for the new dispatchers. The yearly price for running the center will be between $350,000 and $400,000.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/lake/orl-ltavares0307jun03
,0,5144198.story?coll=orl-news-headlines-lake
"Gun-Trace Plan Faces Hurdles"
Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA) (06/03/07) P. A1; Valencia, Milton J.
Nationwide, a "track and map" effort dubbed Mayors Against Illegal Guns has been unfolding to monitor illegal gun ownership. The effort is being led by Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. In Worcester, Mass., the initiative is being called "Where Did the Gun Come From?" and is part of a larger effort to encourage police, media outlets, and citizens to assess the source of a gun used in a criminal act instead of primarily focusing on the crime. A group called Main South Alliance for Public Safety is collaborating with a computer software maker to develop technology that can enhance weapons tracking. Community groups also say such technology could help neighborhoods better understand local crime. Officials say the program goes beyond the federal government's eTrace program. The software tracks a weapon based on such characteristics as its parts, make, model, caliber, or color. Users of the technology can also search for data based on ballistic testing. The Main South Alliance for Public Safety wants police chiefs statewide to take part in a pilot test the new software; the goal is to eventually expand it nationwide. But existing federal legislation known as the Tiahrt amendment bans the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives from releasing gun tracking data outside of law enforcement. Community groups say they do not want to infringe on the Second Amendment, but believe that a public tracking system would benefit communities. Leaders envision a Web site featuring a crime blog that residents could use to swap data about crimes, especially gun use.
http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=
/20070603/NEWS/706030498/0/FRONTPAGE
"Sheriff Dawson Seeks More Than $150,000 for Communications Upgrades"
Herald & Review (IL) (06/01/07); Tallon, Mary
Macon County Sheriff Jerry Dawson in Illinois is requesting from the local government an appropriation of $156,503.75 to upgrade and make digital his department's back-up radio system. The upgrade also would benefit the emergency management agency of Macon County, Ill., for the agency uses the Macon County Sheriff radio. The 800 MHz system is too outdated to receive technical support from the manufacturer at this point, notes Dawson, and has not been updated since 1979. All this makes it even harder to use and maintain.
http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2007/06/01/news/local_news/1023857.txt
"Germany Taking Hard Line to Foil Disruption at G-8"
Washington Post (06/06/07) P. A13; Whitlock, Craig
Germany has spent more than $100 million to secure the Group of Eight (G-8) summit, which is being held this week at the coastal resort of Heiligendamm. A seven-mile-long security fence crowned with razor wire will keep anti-globalization protesters at bay. The German government is being aggressive about securing the meeting after some 500 German police officers were injured when protesters rioted in Rostock last weekend; thus, 16,000 police officers will be on hand to secure the G-8 summit, and they will be reinforced by armored personnel carriers and helicopters. The protesters--many of whom aim to disrupt the summit--have been sharpening their tactics and strategies for the past several months, but so have German authorities. For example, German police, borrowing a tactic formerly used by the East German secret police, have quietly obtained "scent samples" of some protest leaders so that canine units will be able to sniff them out of crowds if necessary. Public demonstrations will not be allowed within a four-mile radius of the meeting. Just five miles up the road from Heiligendamm, protesters have established a base camp replete with a three-story lookout tower to spot police. There the protesters are practicing techniques aimed at thwarting security forces, such as disrobing and locking arms.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/
2007/06/06/AR2007060600568.html?hpid=topnews
"An Easy Segway Into Patrols"
Star-Ledger (NJ) (06/01/07) P. 17; Dilworth, Kevin C.
Police departments across New Jersey are purchasing the two-wheel Segway device to increase the range and effectiveness of community patrols. These hand-operated devices transport police officers in a standing position while the officers control the device. East Orange, N.J., police director Jose Cordero says his department is using Segways to harness the available resources to "close the gap between what the public would like to see, and things that we can do, given our current resources." Neptune, N.J., Police Chief Howard O'Neil says Segways create more opportunity for community interaction, especially with curious young people who ask his officers often about the device. A typical Segway can cost $6,000. Officers report that Segways can be useful for parade functions, community-related patrolling, and moving quickly on and across sidewalks, streets, and curbs. Many New Jersey departments are still evaluating the vehicle for its crime-fighting impact.
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/
base/news-7/118067486425610.xml&coll=1
"Eyes Opened to Find the Missing"
Telegram & Gazette (05/31/07) P. B4; Valencia, Milton J.
The Worcester County, Mass., sheriff's office has launched Iris Recognition Biometric Technology, which allows individuals to be identified by a unique eye scan. Sheriff Guy W. Glodis says the technology will be especially helpful in identifying missing children and seniors with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. The iris scans could be loaded into a database much the same way fingerprint information is now, but Glodis says the iris scans are more effective for identification because they are less susceptible to manipulation and can even distinguish between identical twins. Because many kidnapped children are susceptible to entering altered mental states, they may not know they have been kidnapped or their original identity when they are recovered; therefore, such a database would be important in making a positive identification. In addition, dementia-affected seniors who wander away from their homes and then become lost could also be identified with the technology.
http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=
/20070531/NEWS/705310733/1008/NEWS02
"New Tools to Help Law Enforcement Find Missing Seniors"
9News (CO) (05/31/07); McGuire, Heidi
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D) recently signed into law a bill intended to allow law enforcement to rapidly monitor individuals with Alzheimer's and other disabilities. Under Project Lifesaver, participants obtain a device with radio frequency technology such as a bracelet. The devices can aid in tracking a person who gets lost or needs help. Most of the counties in the Denver area now have the radio frequency devices, and other counties in the state will eventually have them. An estimated 64,000 people in Colorado suffer from Alzheimer's, and most require at-home care.
http://www.9news.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=71061
"Neighborhoods Lining Up for City's Cameras"
Columbus Dispatch (OH) (05/31/07) P. 1A; Ferenchik, Mark
Community leaders in several Columbus, Ohio, neighborhoods have expressed enthusiasm about extending the city's anti-crime surveillance camera initiative to their neighborhoods. For the past several years, the city's overburdened police department has been lobbying city leaders for additional police officers, cruisers, and gear. And several city neighborhoods have been requesting that the city deploy surveillance cameras. Mayor Michael B. Coleman has moved forward with a plan to test video surveillance technology as an anti-crime measure, and he is especially keen on using the cameras at city festivals and in certain neighborhoods. The cameras also could be deployed at parks and recreation centers. South Linden Area Commission President George Walker Jr., Northland Community Council President Dave Paul, and other community leaders say they would welcome the surveillance cameras with open arms. Greater Hilltop Area Commission Chairman Gary L. Baker II notes that community members seem to either love the idea or hate it. Columbus City Councilman Andrew Ginther was adamant that the cameras would supplement, not replace, police officers.
http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/content/local_news/stories/
2007/05/31/CAMREDUX.ART_ART_05-31-07_A1_BT6SHQK.html
"Officers Push to Get Digital Video in Cars"
Augusta Chronicle (GA) (05/30/07) P. B1; Guffey, Michelle
The Aiken County, S.C., Sheriff's Office intends to replaces its patrol cars' VHS cameras with digital ones. The move is needed because VCR technology is becoming obsolete. The new cameras will be compact; they will be built into the vehicle's rearview mirrors, according to officials. The mirror can be activated to view the monitor, or deactivated to appear like an ordinary mirror. The digital cameras also feature no moving parts, and there is no need to handle any tape. Pictures and sounds are recorded onto a 16-hour flash disc that can be placed in any PC for viewing. The data can also be downloaded for delivery via email. The new process eliminates the need to remove the VHS tape, burn it on a disc, and hand-deliver it, officials say. The new cameras can also pinpoint the site of physical evidence by using a grid, and wireless microphones in the camera, the back seat, and on officers creates an audio log, officials say. Each digital camera costs about $4,000 and features one camera that points to the front and another positioned towards the back. http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/053007/met_130311.shtml
"Police Can Keep Eye on Schools"
Kansas City Star (05/30/07) P. LB1; Noble, Jason
The Liberty, Mo., Police Department and Liberty public school district have collaborated to upgrade the school district's security camera system so that police can significantly improve their response to school shootings and other emergencies. Security cameras have been a feature at Liberty schools for many years, and the upgrade is built upon an existing $2 million-plus security camera system that has historically been monitored by the district's technology employees. The upgrade links the cameras to the police department, enabling police dispatchers and police officers to directly monitor the live video feeds either in the dispatch office or via laptop computers in the field. The cameras provide views of nearly all common areas of the schools, meaning that if a school shooting occurs, police dispatchers will be able to track the shooter through the school and provide real-time information to responding police officers. In May, police and school officials conducted a test of the new technology, finding that they were able to quickly track down school resource officers as they moved through school buildings. The district's security company intends to provide police with blueprints of each school building to enhance the monitoring and response efforts. http://www.kansascity.com/317/story/127379.html
"City Police Could Get Major Upgrade for Over $18,000"
Springfield State Journal-Register (IL) (05/29/07) P. 17; Bolinski, Jayette
As of late May, the Springfield, Ill., Police Department was considering whether or not to approve spending over $18,000 on technology that will make mapping of crime and deadly accident scenes less difficult for officers. Department authorities want to buy a "total station," a device that allows police, engineers, and additional users to take correct measurements, obtain and plot information, and establish three-dimensional models of scenes. Acquiring the system would significantly reduce the amount of time police investigators spend at crime and accident scenes figuring and recording measurements. The Sokkia total station's price of $18,563 includes software and instruction. Software includes "Crash Math," which has different equations that crash scene reconstructionists need to determine what occurred during traffic accidents; "Professional Statement" to make reports faster and simpler to complete; "Virtual Earth," which permits users to access satellite images; and "Smart Corners," which helps with studying vehicle damage. One of the most attractive elements of the software is the ability to make 3-D images for investigators and juries. The Springfield City Council's finance committee was set to talk about the potential purchase at its May 29 meeting.
http://www.sj-r.com/Sections/News/Stories/115544.asp
"Law Enforcement Gets New Tool to Fight Crime in Dark"
9News (CO) (05/28/07); Bolton, Anastasiya
Homeland Security in the North Central Region of Colorado has purchased four night vision goggles for shared use by police departments from 10 counties within the jurisdiction. The regional purchase will enable police to access and use night-specialized devices that cost $3,500 each, and which individual departments could not have afforded. Night-vision goggles can be used for surveillance, to find someone who is lost, or for handling a known shooter, for instance. These goggles have been used by the U.S. military for years, but are new in police circles. http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=70903
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
"GPS Tracking of Offenders"
Deseret Morning News (06/03/07); Winslow, Ben
TrackerPAL is a recently released violator monitoring system that combines GPS, computer, and cell-phone technology into one miniscule unit fueled by a 20-hour battery. The waterproof gadget straps to a violator's ankle and monitors his movements utilizing GPS technology. At an around-the-clock monitoring center in Sandy, Utah, workers follow dozens of violators' locations. If the offenders go someplace they are not allowed, an alert appears on the screen. The TrackerPAL's cell unit permits operators and violators to speak with each other and can notify police or probation officers. In addition, it emits a 95-decibel siren if the violator wanders into a prohibited area or is hiding when authorities are looking for him. The software can be authorized to include off-limits locations, such as schools and parks. Although a violator can be followed to within 50 meters, TrackerPAL is restricted in that urban settings can cause signal problems. http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,660226365,00.html
"County, Local Police Disagree on System to Link Databases"
Times Herald-Record (NY) (06/04/07); McKenna, Chris
Although it has been two years since officials in Orange County, N.Y., proposed creating a computer network for every police department in the county to share access to arrest reports, mugshots, and other records, only a partial network initiated by the police, not the county, exists today. Police chiefs are hoping that the county will adopt a program that is in use at 13 of the 31 departments. However, county officials are pursuing a method for linking records from different computer systems that would allow each department to keep its existing system. "Different agencies want to use different software to meet their needs," said Orange County Emergency Services Commissioner Walter Koury. "Let the software be the decision of each agency, but we will create a solution so that they will still be able to share data." The potential cost of such a system has not yet been determined, Koury said.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/
20070604/NEWS/706040329/-1/NEWS
"Airport Protection System on the Way"
New York Newsday (06/05/07); Eisenberg, Carol
A $138 million, 57-mile system of sensors that will incorporate radar, video motion detectors, thermal imagers, and closed-circuit television is being erected around the perimeters of John F. Kennedy International (JFK), LaGuardia, Newark Liberty International, and Teterboro Airport. Designed by Raytheon, the virtual fence is already in use at Ben-Gurion International in Tel Aviv and Baghdad's airport. The system was in the works before the alleged plot to attack JFK was uncovered and is designed to prevent such an attack. "If you can't breach the perimeter of the airport, you can't reach the fuel farms," said one unnamed official. The system would send data in realtime to a central Port Authority Police station and airport command posts and will be another layer in airport security. But former head of security at Ben-Gurion Rafi Ron notes that the system will be useless if not combined with an adequate response force. "The question is not only detecting an intrusion but being able to respond to it in due time," says Ron, who now heads a transportation security firm in McLean, Va. "I think that most U.S. airports are relatively quick to invest in the technology, but fail to provide the human resources to respond to the detection when it occurs." The system should be operational by early next year.
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-usair055243304jun05,
0,3104587,print.story?coll=ny-nationalnews-print
"Chicago Police Make Return to the Skies"
Chicago Sun-Times (06/01/07) P. 16; Spielman, Fran
Police in Chicago recently acquired a new, $2.1 million helicopter through Homeland Security funds that features night vision instrumentation that lets officers who wear special goggles see in the dark. The new helicopter also has a searchlight and a gamma radiation detector designed to help find such things as dirty bombs. In addition, it has a LoJack detection system for pinpointing stolen automobiles as well as a special map system. Its robust video cameras can downlink images to the city's 911 emergency center. Chicago's police department also has a helicopter previously used by the fire department that was retrofitted in 2006 for police use. http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/410147,CST-NWS-heli01.article
"Tavares Gets Own 911 System"
Orlando Sentinel (FL) (06/03/07) P. J1; Comas, Martin E.
Tavares, Fla., recently introduced its new 911 dispatching service. A minimum of two dispatchers will be available around-the-clock in City Hall, fielding calls for police service. Though the initial emergency calls began coming in on May 31 as Tavares began transferring sections of the city over to the new system, June 1 was the initial whole day the 911 system was totally operational. The system is necessary to handle the city's rapidly-expanding population and increasing amount of emergency calls. In 2006, Tavares police officers answered around 25,440 calls, a 47 percent gain over 2003. Employing highly innovative requirement, the Tavares dispatchers monitor four screens, and can determine the location of each 911 call that comes in, including those placed from the majority of cell phones. The system will eventually be improved so that it will inform dispatchers of every patrol vehicle's precise location. The new emergency communications system will cost Tavares around $500,000 initially; the expenses include buying equipment and paying for salaries and instruction for the new dispatchers. The yearly price for running the center will be between $350,000 and $400,000.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/lake/orl-ltavares0307jun03
,0,5144198.story?coll=orl-news-headlines-lake
"Gun-Trace Plan Faces Hurdles"
Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA) (06/03/07) P. A1; Valencia, Milton J.
Nationwide, a "track and map" effort dubbed Mayors Against Illegal Guns has been unfolding to monitor illegal gun ownership. The effort is being led by Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. In Worcester, Mass., the initiative is being called "Where Did the Gun Come From?" and is part of a larger effort to encourage police, media outlets, and citizens to assess the source of a gun used in a criminal act instead of primarily focusing on the crime. A group called Main South Alliance for Public Safety is collaborating with a computer software maker to develop technology that can enhance weapons tracking. Community groups also say such technology could help neighborhoods better understand local crime. Officials say the program goes beyond the federal government's eTrace program. The software tracks a weapon based on such characteristics as its parts, make, model, caliber, or color. Users of the technology can also search for data based on ballistic testing. The Main South Alliance for Public Safety wants police chiefs statewide to take part in a pilot test the new software; the goal is to eventually expand it nationwide. But existing federal legislation known as the Tiahrt amendment bans the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives from releasing gun tracking data outside of law enforcement. Community groups say they do not want to infringe on the Second Amendment, but believe that a public tracking system would benefit communities. Leaders envision a Web site featuring a crime blog that residents could use to swap data about crimes, especially gun use.
http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=
/20070603/NEWS/706030498/0/FRONTPAGE
"Sheriff Dawson Seeks More Than $150,000 for Communications Upgrades"
Herald & Review (IL) (06/01/07); Tallon, Mary
Macon County Sheriff Jerry Dawson in Illinois is requesting from the local government an appropriation of $156,503.75 to upgrade and make digital his department's back-up radio system. The upgrade also would benefit the emergency management agency of Macon County, Ill., for the agency uses the Macon County Sheriff radio. The 800 MHz system is too outdated to receive technical support from the manufacturer at this point, notes Dawson, and has not been updated since 1979. All this makes it even harder to use and maintain.
http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2007/06/01/news/local_news/1023857.txt
"Germany Taking Hard Line to Foil Disruption at G-8"
Washington Post (06/06/07) P. A13; Whitlock, Craig
Germany has spent more than $100 million to secure the Group of Eight (G-8) summit, which is being held this week at the coastal resort of Heiligendamm. A seven-mile-long security fence crowned with razor wire will keep anti-globalization protesters at bay. The German government is being aggressive about securing the meeting after some 500 German police officers were injured when protesters rioted in Rostock last weekend; thus, 16,000 police officers will be on hand to secure the G-8 summit, and they will be reinforced by armored personnel carriers and helicopters. The protesters--many of whom aim to disrupt the summit--have been sharpening their tactics and strategies for the past several months, but so have German authorities. For example, German police, borrowing a tactic formerly used by the East German secret police, have quietly obtained "scent samples" of some protest leaders so that canine units will be able to sniff them out of crowds if necessary. Public demonstrations will not be allowed within a four-mile radius of the meeting. Just five miles up the road from Heiligendamm, protesters have established a base camp replete with a three-story lookout tower to spot police. There the protesters are practicing techniques aimed at thwarting security forces, such as disrobing and locking arms.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/
2007/06/06/AR2007060600568.html?hpid=topnews
"An Easy Segway Into Patrols"
Star-Ledger (NJ) (06/01/07) P. 17; Dilworth, Kevin C.
Police departments across New Jersey are purchasing the two-wheel Segway device to increase the range and effectiveness of community patrols. These hand-operated devices transport police officers in a standing position while the officers control the device. East Orange, N.J., police director Jose Cordero says his department is using Segways to harness the available resources to "close the gap between what the public would like to see, and things that we can do, given our current resources." Neptune, N.J., Police Chief Howard O'Neil says Segways create more opportunity for community interaction, especially with curious young people who ask his officers often about the device. A typical Segway can cost $6,000. Officers report that Segways can be useful for parade functions, community-related patrolling, and moving quickly on and across sidewalks, streets, and curbs. Many New Jersey departments are still evaluating the vehicle for its crime-fighting impact.
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/
base/news-7/118067486425610.xml&coll=1
"Eyes Opened to Find the Missing"
Telegram & Gazette (05/31/07) P. B4; Valencia, Milton J.
The Worcester County, Mass., sheriff's office has launched Iris Recognition Biometric Technology, which allows individuals to be identified by a unique eye scan. Sheriff Guy W. Glodis says the technology will be especially helpful in identifying missing children and seniors with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. The iris scans could be loaded into a database much the same way fingerprint information is now, but Glodis says the iris scans are more effective for identification because they are less susceptible to manipulation and can even distinguish between identical twins. Because many kidnapped children are susceptible to entering altered mental states, they may not know they have been kidnapped or their original identity when they are recovered; therefore, such a database would be important in making a positive identification. In addition, dementia-affected seniors who wander away from their homes and then become lost could also be identified with the technology.
http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=
/20070531/NEWS/705310733/1008/NEWS02
"New Tools to Help Law Enforcement Find Missing Seniors"
9News (CO) (05/31/07); McGuire, Heidi
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D) recently signed into law a bill intended to allow law enforcement to rapidly monitor individuals with Alzheimer's and other disabilities. Under Project Lifesaver, participants obtain a device with radio frequency technology such as a bracelet. The devices can aid in tracking a person who gets lost or needs help. Most of the counties in the Denver area now have the radio frequency devices, and other counties in the state will eventually have them. An estimated 64,000 people in Colorado suffer from Alzheimer's, and most require at-home care.
http://www.9news.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=71061
"Neighborhoods Lining Up for City's Cameras"
Columbus Dispatch (OH) (05/31/07) P. 1A; Ferenchik, Mark
Community leaders in several Columbus, Ohio, neighborhoods have expressed enthusiasm about extending the city's anti-crime surveillance camera initiative to their neighborhoods. For the past several years, the city's overburdened police department has been lobbying city leaders for additional police officers, cruisers, and gear. And several city neighborhoods have been requesting that the city deploy surveillance cameras. Mayor Michael B. Coleman has moved forward with a plan to test video surveillance technology as an anti-crime measure, and he is especially keen on using the cameras at city festivals and in certain neighborhoods. The cameras also could be deployed at parks and recreation centers. South Linden Area Commission President George Walker Jr., Northland Community Council President Dave Paul, and other community leaders say they would welcome the surveillance cameras with open arms. Greater Hilltop Area Commission Chairman Gary L. Baker II notes that community members seem to either love the idea or hate it. Columbus City Councilman Andrew Ginther was adamant that the cameras would supplement, not replace, police officers.
http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/content/local_news/stories/
2007/05/31/CAMREDUX.ART_ART_05-31-07_A1_BT6SHQK.html
"Officers Push to Get Digital Video in Cars"
Augusta Chronicle (GA) (05/30/07) P. B1; Guffey, Michelle
The Aiken County, S.C., Sheriff's Office intends to replaces its patrol cars' VHS cameras with digital ones. The move is needed because VCR technology is becoming obsolete. The new cameras will be compact; they will be built into the vehicle's rearview mirrors, according to officials. The mirror can be activated to view the monitor, or deactivated to appear like an ordinary mirror. The digital cameras also feature no moving parts, and there is no need to handle any tape. Pictures and sounds are recorded onto a 16-hour flash disc that can be placed in any PC for viewing. The data can also be downloaded for delivery via email. The new process eliminates the need to remove the VHS tape, burn it on a disc, and hand-deliver it, officials say. The new cameras can also pinpoint the site of physical evidence by using a grid, and wireless microphones in the camera, the back seat, and on officers creates an audio log, officials say. Each digital camera costs about $4,000 and features one camera that points to the front and another positioned towards the back. http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/053007/met_130311.shtml
"Police Can Keep Eye on Schools"
Kansas City Star (05/30/07) P. LB1; Noble, Jason
The Liberty, Mo., Police Department and Liberty public school district have collaborated to upgrade the school district's security camera system so that police can significantly improve their response to school shootings and other emergencies. Security cameras have been a feature at Liberty schools for many years, and the upgrade is built upon an existing $2 million-plus security camera system that has historically been monitored by the district's technology employees. The upgrade links the cameras to the police department, enabling police dispatchers and police officers to directly monitor the live video feeds either in the dispatch office or via laptop computers in the field. The cameras provide views of nearly all common areas of the schools, meaning that if a school shooting occurs, police dispatchers will be able to track the shooter through the school and provide real-time information to responding police officers. In May, police and school officials conducted a test of the new technology, finding that they were able to quickly track down school resource officers as they moved through school buildings. The district's security company intends to provide police with blueprints of each school building to enhance the monitoring and response efforts. http://www.kansascity.com/317/story/127379.html
"City Police Could Get Major Upgrade for Over $18,000"
Springfield State Journal-Register (IL) (05/29/07) P. 17; Bolinski, Jayette
As of late May, the Springfield, Ill., Police Department was considering whether or not to approve spending over $18,000 on technology that will make mapping of crime and deadly accident scenes less difficult for officers. Department authorities want to buy a "total station," a device that allows police, engineers, and additional users to take correct measurements, obtain and plot information, and establish three-dimensional models of scenes. Acquiring the system would significantly reduce the amount of time police investigators spend at crime and accident scenes figuring and recording measurements. The Sokkia total station's price of $18,563 includes software and instruction. Software includes "Crash Math," which has different equations that crash scene reconstructionists need to determine what occurred during traffic accidents; "Professional Statement" to make reports faster and simpler to complete; "Virtual Earth," which permits users to access satellite images; and "Smart Corners," which helps with studying vehicle damage. One of the most attractive elements of the software is the ability to make 3-D images for investigators and juries. The Springfield City Council's finance committee was set to talk about the potential purchase at its May 29 meeting.
http://www.sj-r.com/Sections/News/Stories/115544.asp
"Law Enforcement Gets New Tool to Fight Crime in Dark"
9News (CO) (05/28/07); Bolton, Anastasiya
Homeland Security in the North Central Region of Colorado has purchased four night vision goggles for shared use by police departments from 10 counties within the jurisdiction. The regional purchase will enable police to access and use night-specialized devices that cost $3,500 each, and which individual departments could not have afforded. Night-vision goggles can be used for surveillance, to find someone who is lost, or for handling a known shooter, for instance. These goggles have been used by the U.S. military for years, but are new in police circles. http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=70903
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
