LAW ENFORCEMENT
Technology Helps Nab Fugitives at the Texas Border
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the El Paso, Texas port of entry have apprehended two men being sought by Arizona authorities. In the first case, CBP officers obtained a ten-print digital image of a man’s fingerprints, ran the data through the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) and discovered his true identity and an outstanding murder warrant. In the second case, CBP officers performed a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) query on a man and learned that he was being sought by authorities in Maricopa County, Ariz. for homicide/attempted second degree murder and interfering with judicial proceedings.
Source: “U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Apprehend Two Sought by Arizona Authorities on Murder Warrants,” U.S. Customs and Border Protection press release, 20 June 2005, online at http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/press_releases/06202005.xml
Mississippi Information Sharing Project Draws Attention
The Mississippi Automated System Project (MASP), a $25 million data-sharing and records management system initially developed for first responders in Harrison, Hancock and Jackson counties, was on the agenda at a June 24 Bureau of Justice Assistance symposium that was attended by more than 200 officials from other Mississippi counties, Louisiana, Alabama and Tennessee. Overseen by the Office of Public Safety Technology at University of Southern Mississippi in Long Beach, MASP has received $15 million in federal funds to create a possible national model to give first responders in rural areas access to technology for solving crimes and saving lives.
Source: Robin Fitzgerald, “Coast data-sharing system draws raves; It could expand across region,” Biloxi (Miss.) Sun Herald, 25 June 2005: A8
Passaic County, N.J. Upgrades Communications
Passaic County, N.J. will utilize a $1.9 million homeland security grant to build a countywide communications system that will connect local law enforcement, fire department, campus security, emergency medical and public health officials. Upgrades include security cameras with linking video feeds and more elaborate, interoperable databases.
Source: Asjylyn Loder, “Communication upgrade coming; $1.9 security grant will help link agencies,” Herald News (Passaic, N.J.), 1 July 2005: B03
Oklahoma City Police Offer Crime Alerts by Email
Oklahoma City officials have unveiled a computer program designed to send crime alerts to residents through electronic mail or text messages. The Citizen Alert Web site is interactive, with users able to respond immediately using email or by calling a phone number included in the alert.
Source: Josh Rabe, “Web site allows police to send e-mail alerts,” The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Okla.), 22 June 2005: 11A
Albuquerque, N.M. Police to Upgrade Computers
The Albuquerque, N.M. Police Department plans a multimillion dollar upgrade of its communications and records management, with the first phase putting new computers in the emergency dispatch center. The Police Department's Records Division will receive the second phase of the upgrade, and field officers will be third in line for an upgrade, receiving laptop computers with a wireless link to information and reports.
Source: Maggie Shepard, “Police prepare for an upgrade to computers,” Albuquerque (N.M.) Tribune, 29 June 2005: A4
Pennsylvania Pilot Project Gives Information via Wireless Devices
The Shippensburg Borough, Pa. Police Department is participating in a new pilot project that gives state police and officers at some local agencies access to database information using handheld wireless devices. Under the Voyager project, participating police agencies will be able to securely access files on wanted persons, stolen vehicles, driver's licenses, photos, Amber Alerts and severe weather alerts on wireless phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs).
Source: Tatiana Zarnowski, “Police going high-tech,” The Sentinel (Shippensburg, Pa.), 28 June 2005