Alaska Borough Gets New Dispatch System
Thanks to a $494,379 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, a new digital computer-aided dispatch system will be online early next year in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, covering more than 24,000 square miles within the heart of south central Alaska. The new City of Palmer dispatch center will offer computer mapping and create an online history of calls to police as well as calls to fire, rescue, ambulance and other borough emergency services.
Andrew Wellner, “Digital dispatch only a part of communication projects,” Anchorage (Alaska) Daily News, 8 Nov. 2006: G11
"10-4" No More in Virginia
Virginia’s first responders and public safety personnel are shifting to common language instead of 10-codes in day-to-day operations and mutual aid events. The State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) and Commonwealth Interoperability Coordinator’s Office (CICO) determined a common language protocol that allows the use of plain English for most transmissions would improve communications interoperability, an initiative endorsed by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, Virginia Sheriffs Association, Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, and Virginia State Police. The common language protocol was formally announced at the 2006 Virginia Interoperable Communications Conference, held October 3-4 in Portsmouth, Va.
Mary Beth Sheridan, “Va. State Police Swap '10-4' For 'Message Understood',” The Washington Post, 13 Nov. 2006: A1
More Red Light Cameras for Houston
In an effort to improve safety, the Houston Police Department has installed 10 additional red-light surveillance cameras, bringing the city’s total to 30 cameras. Traffic Division officials report that 85% of the 4,363 tickets issued by the cameras were mailed out to the offenders.
Mike Glenn, “10 more intersection cameras operating: HPD had given the OK for 3,681 citations to be issued as of Friday,” The Houston (Texas) Chronicle, 14 Nov. 2006
DNA Cold Hit Solves 1989 Minnesota Murder
Following extensive investigative work by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's cold case unit, the FBI Laboratory's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) has linked an Ohio prison inmate to a May 1989 murder in St. Paul. The inmate is currently serving a sentence for a similar slaying in Columbus, Ohio in Feb. 1989.
Mara H. Gottfried, “Police pinpoint suspect in 1989 killing; Investigator calls DNA evidence 'clear cut' in link to inmate in Ohio prison,” Saint Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press, 17 Nov. 2006: 1B
$37 Million Upgrade for Indiana Public Safety Communication System
Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson, joined by Sheriff Frank Anderson, Indianapolis Public Safety Director Earl Morgan, Indianapolis Police Department Chief Michael Spears, Indianapolis Fire Department Chief Jim Greeson and City of Lawrence Fire Chief Dave Carlson, have announced a $37 million upgrade to the Metropolitan Emergency Communication Agency's public safety radio communication system. “This state-of-the-art communication system will provide clearer transmissions, improved coverage and increased reliability for our dedicated public safety and public service personnel,” Mayor Peterson said. “With this digital voice system, Indianapolis will once again be at the forefront of public safety communications.”
Tim Evans, “Emergency radio targets dead spots; $37 million project will fill in gaps around county to help police, firefighters and medics,” The Indianapolis (Ind.) Star, 14 Nov. 2006: 1
