Tennessee Fusion Center Established
The Tennessee Office of Homeland Security is partnering with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to create the Tennessee Fusion Center, using federal grant funds and more than $1 million in state funding this year. The information sharing clearinghouse, to be staffed by five analysts, will process tips on criminals and suspected terrorist activity submitted by both the general public and law enforcement agencies from across the state.
Dick Cook, "Data network links state's law agencies," Chattanooga (Tenn.) Times Free Press, 27 Nov. 2006: B1
Georgia County Gets Patrol Car Laptops
Following the installation of 150 laptop computers into all patrol vehicles, the Columbia (Ga.) County Sheriff's Office will soon add upgrades to allow officers to file reports and access law enforcement databases from their vehicles. The ruggedized laptops and a secure wireless network will provide a more current and accurate filing system, improving department operations.
Valerie Rowell, "Laptops in each car will ease work for deputies; System will keep track of crime, patrols," The Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle, 3 Dec. 2006: 1
Chicago Police Add Palm Print Equipment
The Chicago Police Department has purchased 37 palm reading consoles for $829,000 with a grant from the Illinois Criminal Justice Authority and matching city funds. The new fingerprinting equipment will be distributed to each police district as a Live Scan fingerprint system upgrade.
Tony C. Yang, “Palm reading joins ranks of the crime-fighting tools; New fingerprinting scanners save police time,” Chicago Tribune, 30 Nov. 2006: Metro 6
DHS Secretary Sets Interoperability Timetable
In an address to the 2006 Grants & Training National Conference on Nov. 28, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said his department will make sure the Urban Area Security Initiative cities, the major cities, will receive interoperable communications equipment by the end of next year, and that all states have it by the end of 2008: “We know that what's needed at this point is finishing the governance plans and the documents, and we also know that we need to complete the job of getting the specifications for the next generation of digital equipment out there so you can complete the process of being able to do your own planning for your next generation of purchases."
Chris Strohm, "Chertoff gets ahead of Hill, sets interoperable radio goals," Govexec.com, 28 Nov. 2006
Michigan County Radio Network Comes Online
The Macomb County, Mich. Sheriff's Office’s new $13.2 million 800-megahertz public safety radio network went online Nov. 30, $350,000 under budget and one year ahead of schedule. It is expected that 98 percent of police, fire and emergency medical service agencies in the county will begin using the system in the next two years.
Charles E. Ramirez, "New radio system links Macomb law enforcers," The Detroit (Mich.) News, 1 Dec. 2006: 4B
Louisiana Awarded Federal Grant for Radio Upgrade
The Baton Rouge Police Department has received a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services for a regional radio communications equipment upgrade. Partners in the grant application, including the Baton Rouge Fire Department, the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, Ascension Parish, Livingston Parish, Iberville Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, West Feliciana Parish, the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, LSU, Southern University and the state, will supply $1.9 million in matching funds.
Scott Dyer, “Police get $6 million for radio upgrade,” The Advocate (Baton Rouge, La.), 21 Nov. 2006: B1
Kentucky City Improves Fingerprinting Unit
Police in Lexington, Ky. expect to receive a second Live Scan fingerprinting machine by early next year for use by the forensic services department. The new equipment will be used to identify criminal suspects and check on job applicants to the division of police, speeding up fingerprint processing for the entire department.
Shawntaye Hopkins, “Fingerprinting is going high-tech at police department,” The Lexington (Ky.) Herald Leader, 25 Nov. 2006: B1
Sacramento Creates First Police Blog in U.S.
The Sacramento Police Department has launched what may be the first interactive Web log for a police department in the country. The blog offers answers to citizens' questions, recruitment podcasts and online crime reports, saving the department time and money.
Ryan Lillis, "Cops add Web tools as a way to connect; Sacramento police break ground with information blog they hope will help save time and money," Sacramento (Calif.) Bee, 3 Dec. 2006: B1
