NLECTC Law Enforcement & Corrections Technology News Summary

"Latest in High Tech Helps Police Keep Ahead of Criminals"
Boston Globe (07/10/06) P. D1; Bray, Hiawatha

Jeffrey Burton works as a digital imaging specialist for the Plymouth Sheriff's Department in Massachusetts, which often entails processing video footage from banks, ATM machines, and stores. His goal is to identify relevant portions of evidence that clearly depict criminal acts and sift it from hours of non-relevant footage. He relies on a video assessment tool called VideoFOCUS, which was recently highlighted at the International Association of Identifications at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. VideoFOCUS also boosts the clarity of images so that their print quality will be high, according to the maker of the devices, Laura Teodosio, who founded the Salient Stills company. She adds that although the software is powerful, officers with non-technical training can easily learn how to use it. Competitors of Salient Stills include Avid/Ocean Systems, whose clients include the Boston police and the MBTA transit police.
http://www.boston.com/business/technology
/articles/2006/07/10/latest_in_high_
tech_helps_police_keep_ahead_of_criminals/

"Computer Modeling Predicts Crashes: Data Help Steer Police to Areas Most Needing Patrol Presence"
Toledo Blade (OH) (07/09/06); Patch, David

The Ohio Highway Patrol (OHP) has deployed a cutting-edge statistical modeling system that allows it to predict where and when traffic accidents will occur. The system was developed by the Ohio State University Statistical Consulting Service. "Troopers traditionally have a good idea where crashes have occurred," says Lt. Rick Zwayer, a spokesman for the patrol. "But this model flags certain areas, times, and even days." The Ohio State system uses data from crashes that occurred across Ohio from 2001 to 2005 to predict crashes. Among the system's forecasts are several seemingly obvious findings: that most alcohol-related crashes occur in the evening; the rate of crashes increases in bad weather; and the number of crashes is highest in the afternoon rush hour. The system's forecasts allow officers to focus their traffic enforcement attention on areas that have high rates of accidents. Data for 2005 fatal crashes is available on the OHP's Web site and can be accessed by the general public.
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=
/20060709/NEWS08/607090340/-1/NEWS

"Evidence Gathering Goes Digital"
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (IN) (07/09/06) P. C1; Iacone, Amanda

Nearly 300 police officers in Fort Wayne, Ind., started using digital cameras a year ago, and now regularly use them as a means for collecting evidence. Officers have taken pictures of car collisions, victims, and crime scenes, including those of robberies and domestic violence. The cameras were bought using grant money geared toward reducing domestic violence in the city. The images can be easily retaken, saved, copied, or printed because of their digital qualities. But after adding some 90,000 pictures to the police department's database, the department's computer technology division saw a need to contain more storage space to store images and accelerate the speed of the software used to access the database, according to officer Scott Kizziar. The Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) has ordered a new $12,000 server capable of storing up to eight times more information than the current system, and the addition of hardware and some other technical modifications will decrease the time needed to save and extract photos. This will also allow officers to go back on duty quicker; the existing server takes as long as 45 minutes to an hour for pictures to download. The FWPD expects to retain the images on the server for three years to five years and subsequently store them long-term on DVDs. Kizziar said the photos are encrypted because they are viewed as evidence. http://www.fortwayne.com/mld
/journalgazette/news/local/15000774.htm

"Shreveport Police Using High-Tech Cars as Bait"
Associated Press (07/08/06)

The National Insurance Crime Bureau is helping Shreveport, La., reduce incidents of car theft, which have increased 15 percent in the city over the past year. Cars donated by insurance companies will be used by the local police department as bait. Equipped with tracking technology and a hidden camera, the cars will be used to lure thieves. When one is stolen, dispatch officers will be alerted through a computer alarm. Patrol officers at the scene will be told by the dispatch offers when they are ready to remotely shut the car down. Stops will only be made when no danger is posed to the public.
http://www.nola.com/newsflash/louisiana/index.
ssf?/base/news-26/1152387857104390.xml&storylist=louisiana

"Police Have Eye on Cameras for Taser Guns"
Fort Worth Star-Telegram (07/08/06); Ramirez Jr., Domingo

A small camera that links to a Taser gun to obtain the moments before the weapon is discharged is catching the interest of police departments in Fort Worth, Texas, as well as that of the weapons' opponents. Created by Taser International, the Taser Cam is an audio and video recorder that fits to the stun gun's butt and begins taping when the weapon is switched on. Taser International executives stated that the camera adds an extra layer of accountability for officers who employ the weapon. Taser Cams could capture what is being said and done in the moments prior to somebody being hit by a Taser gun blast, which contains 50,000 volts, Taser International officials stated. Some Fort Worth police officials wonder about the video quality of the Taser Cams. The cameras record in black and white but are outfitted with infrared technology to record images in light that is very low. Taser Cams cost around $400. http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/14996233.htm

"DOD Wants to Field Non-Lethal Weapons in Hurricane-Prone States"
Inside the Army (07/10/06) Vol. 18, No. 27,

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) wants to furnish certain National Guard divisions with new non-lethal weapons so that they will have added capabilities that go beyond those of conventional weapons. This includes states that are vulnerable to hurricanes, those with large population centers, and those along the Mexican border. The effort derives from lessons learned in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which triggered the dispatching of active-duty and National Guard units. The DOD is requesting $8.8 million to purchase 94 "non-lethal capability sets" and 47 "acoustic hailing devices" for the National Guard in 16 states, U.S. territories, and Washington, D.C. The request is a part of $4.4 billion fiscal 2006 omnibus reprogramming request recently sent to Congress by the Pentagon. The equipment sets comprise many items already used by several law enforcement groups that seek to control large numbers of people without the use of deadly force. Such equipment would eventually be supplied to all 54 states and territories, according to a DOD official. The sets feature non-ballistic face shields, expandable riot batons, non-ballistic body shields, non-ballistic riot shin guards, flexicuffs, Tasers, Taser cartridges, FN-303-type paint guns, and a Mossberg 12-gauge beanbag shotgun. The acoustic hailing devices allow sound waves to travel distances that exceed the range of small-arms weapons, and can also concentrate sounds, including voice commands.
http://defense.iwpnewsstand.com/showdoc.asp?docid=ARMY-18-27-5

"Lehigh County Prison Eyes New System for Inmates' Accounts"
Morning Call (07/05/06); Varghese, Romy

Lehigh County, Pa., Prison authorities intend to install technology that would allow family and friends to electronically place money in inmate accounts. People now line up at a window at the prison and present a clerk cash or money orders, which is then credited to the account of am inmate. Inmates utilize the accounts to order a variety of items, such as little TVs or snack items, from the commissary two times per week. With the suggested new system, individuals would seek out an inmate in an ATM-style kiosk, then utilize cash, credit cards, or debit cards to put money into the account and obtain a receipt.
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/
all-b4-5prison-4rjul05,0,677521.story?coll=all-newslocalbethlehem-hed

"Satellite Monitoring Falls From Orbit"
Charleston Post and Courier (07/06/06) P. A1; Smith, Glenn

Magistrates in Charleston County, S.C., have put a stop to the release of criminal defendants on bail with satellite tracking bracelets while a study is conducted to determine if the technology is reliable. The decision is in response to a case in which a defendant charged with rape allegedly committed another sexual assault while wearing such a device, which he later cut off in order to hide from authorities. "The concern is that we're giving people in the community a false sense of security when we tell them we're putting someone on monitoring," explains Chief Magistrate Henry Guerard. Guerard notes that most people believe the tracking devices let the police know when a defendant is violating the terms of release. However, Guerard says court hearings are necessary in the event of possible violations, and not much else can be done unless police witness the crime in action. http://www.charleston.net/

"District Judges Getting Cameras in Court"
Allentown Morning Call (PA) (07/05/06) P. B1; Garlicki, Debbie

The first phase of security upgrades to district judge offices recommended by the Pennsylvania Judicial Council's Committee on Judicial Safety and Preparedness--created after the assault of a judge in Berks County--has been completed. As part of the phase, 752 digital video cameras and 1,433 panic alarms have been installed in 553 district judge offices, central booking, and night court facilities to discourage violent outbursts from defendants. Upcoming projects include the installation of shatter-proof safety glass and the bolting of chairs to floors. The committee has also suggested gun lockers for defendants with concealed weapons permits and the replacement of named parking spaces with numbered spaces. "The committee did extensive study and found that the district courts, which are really the courts on the front line of our judicial system, are housed in leased property and did not have adequate security equipment," said Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts communications coordinator Steve Schell. An automated incident reporting system launched by the Administrative Office last year will be used to determine what else is needed to beef up security, says State Supreme Court Justice Sandra Schultz Newman, who chairs the safety committee. http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-
b1_5securityjul05,0,588839.story

"Metro Fire Rips Its Radios"
Sacramento Bee (CA) (07/07/06) P. B1; Werkman, Dirk

The Sacramento Regional Communication Radio System, which links emergency responders to area dispatchers, is being upgraded from analog to digital at a cost of $8 million. However, the process is causing disruptions for police and fire departments across the county, prompting Sacramento's fire chief Don Mette to write a letter to Sacramento County CIO Patrick Groff. Mette criticized the county for making the public and emergency responders vulnerable and said Groff and the county would be held liable for any injures caused by the defunct system. Mette also urged officers to restore at least five additional radio channels from among the system's original 25. After receiving the letter, Groff immediately restored five channels and pledged to eventually restore all 25 channels. Groff said the system's 25 radio channels were cut to 12 to allow technicians to overhaul one-half of the system. The improvement initiative began on April 24 and is expected to be finalized by early August at the latest. The 25 channels had supported 14,000 radios used by police, sheriff's deputies, firefighters, trash collectors, and other municipal employees. County officials are collaborating to upgrade the system, which is being paid for through a $6 million federal grant and $2 million from a coalition of local fire and police agencies. Problems with the system have also been experienced by the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, according to Sgt. R.L. Davis.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/142756
00p-15085187c.html

"FBI Plans New Net-Tapping Push"
CNet (07/07/06); McCullagh, Declan

Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) intends to introduce legislation that would make it a requirement for ISPs to set up wiretapping hubs for law enforcement monitoring and for networking equipment manufacturers to incorporate backdoors for surveillance, according to FBI agent Barry Smith in a private conference with industry representatives on July 7. DeWine's bill would amend the 1994 Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) to the effect that any maker of "routing" and "addressing" hardware would be required to offer upgrades or other "modifications" necessary to the enablement of Internet wiretapping; extend wiretapping requirements to "commercial" Internet services if the FCC believes it to be within the "public interest;" coerce ISPs to filter their customers' communications to spot, for example, voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls only; and jettison the current legal requirement that Justice must annually issue a public "notice of the actual number of communications interceptions" as well as the "maximum capacity" needed to handle all the legally authorized wiretaps that federal agencies will "conduct and use simultaneously." The FBI says CALEA must be expanded in order to beat terrorists and other criminals who are exploiting technologies such as VoIP. "The complexity and variety of communications technologies have dramatically increased in recent years, and the lawful intercept capabilities of the federal, state and local law enforcement community have been under continual stress, and in many cases have decreased or become impossible," states a summary accompanying the draft bill. However, critics say the legislation infringes on Internet users' privacy, while the bill's political outlook is also muddied by continued debate concerning supposedly unlawful eavesdropping by the National Security Administration. http://news.com.com/FBI+plans+new+Net-tapping
+push/2100-1028_3-6091942.html

"Data Sharing Gets on Track--Finally"
InformationWeek (07/03/06) No. 1096, P. 58; Ambrosio, Johanna

Governments at the federal, state, and local levels have begun to find success in data sharing after some high-profile early failures. An example is the Law Enforcement Information Exchange (Linx), in which six states are already participating and others are about to go live. Linx enables information sharing at all levels of government for catching criminals and fighting terrorist threats, and it has already demonstrated its efficacy by enabling an arrest to be made in the killing of a police officer within 24 hours of the crime being committed. Meanwhile, the Utah state government presents another example of enhancement of government data-sharing. Several Utah state agencies are now able to share eligibility information for citizens qualifying for such services as Medicaid, food stamps, and child care, so that case workers no longer need to conduct separate interviews each time. "If a person or family is eligible for one of these programs, often they're eligible for several of them," says state CIO J. Stephen Fletcher. Reporting requirements forced the state to get several federal agencies' permission to bring the databases together, and this underlines "a big challenge in the interaction with the states and the feds," he says, arising from the constraints placed on federal agencies by congressional funding and watchdogs. Public sector data sharing is likely to expand further thanks to the examples set by Utah and other government entities.
http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle
.jhtml?articleID=189800152

"Online Wagering Under Attack in Congress"
Associated Press (07/11/06); Zuckerbrod, Nancy

Today the House of Representatives is slated to vote on a bill sponsored by Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Jim Leach (R-Iowa) to outlaw the use of credit cards and other payment forms to settle online bets, which has the potential to muzzle Internet gambling. The legislation would also empower law enforcement officials to collaborate with Internet providers to impede access to gambling Web sites. Some critics of the bill believe regulating the online gambling industry and collecting taxes from it is a better option, while other opponents say the proposal fails to address all forms of wagering, such as online lotteries. Among the bill's supporters are pro-sports leagues, who claim their sports' integrity could be compromised by online betting. Meanwhile, the horse racing industry is in favor of the legislation because online gambling on horse races would be permissible under the Interstate Horseracing Act, which means that the venue would attract a lot of business from online gamblers. But this is seen as an unfair loophole by some: "Somehow we find ourselves in a situation where Congress has gotten in the business of cherry-picking types of gambling," argued Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.), who campaigned unsuccessfully to have online betting for dog racing and jai alai--both popular in his home state--declared exempt. On the other hand, the Department of Justice cited the illegality of Internet gambling on horse races under the 1961 Wire Act in a World Trade Organization case that involved Antigua. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060711/ap_on_go_
co/internet_gambling_11

"Michigan Photo Database Receives Grant, Accolades"
Public CIO (06/29/06)

The Michigan State Police (MSP) has received a $25,000 grant from the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices through the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance to upgrade the Statewide Network of Agency Photos (SNAP) database of mugshots and identifying marks. SNAP uses Livescan technology developed by DataWorks Plus of South Carolina to transmit images via the Web along with fingerprints and arrest records. The data can then be accessed statewide through the Michigan Criminal Justice Information Network. The grant will expand use, allowing more law enforcement agencies to link to the system. "This enhancement will encourage more users of SNAP and with more users, the photo database will continue to grow, thereby increasing the benefit to law enforcement in identifying known and unknown suspects," says Diane Sherman, director of the MSP Criminal Justice Information Center. The technology allows officers to conduct digital lineups, create missing and wanted posters, and conduct facial recognition searches. The database today includes over 1 million images from 54 participating law enforcement agencies, compared to about 150,000 when launched nearly three years ago. http://www.public-
cio.com/newsStory.php?id=2006.06.29-100036

"Testing New Laser Speed Enforcement Technology"
Police and Security News (06/06) Vol. 22, No. 3, P. 91; Fors, Carl

Unlike radar, police officers can use laser tools to distinguish between the speeds of different vehicles during heavy traffic. One laser gun called Pro-Lite from Kustom Signals features a new binocular-type technology and weighs less than one pound. The easy single-button operation triggers multiple fires at moving vehicles. Kustom, along with a firm called Applied Concepts, offers laser guns featuring digital cameras that allow officers to print out images on-site. Pictures from the Kustom LaserCam can display the date, time, and speed, while the Stalker LiderCam can display the speed/distance. And in tests, Laser Atlanta's SpeedLaser was able to target a vehicle's speed from as far away as 9,204 feet, although such distances cannot be legally used because it lacks a visual tracking history. Laser Atlanta's guns also can report instances of jamming using Class 1, 2, and 3 jammer types. At present, no federal law prohibits laser jamming but some states such as California have passed laws that ban the jammers. Laser Technology's UltraLyte, which can run on two "C" batteries or a permanent power source, helps officers identify tailgating and also features software that can facilitate
accident reconstruction. http://www.policeandsecuritynews.com/