Squad Car Laptops Purchased by Michigan Township
The Clay Township Police Department has undergone two years of upgrades, adding technology such as squad car computers that make officers much more efficient. Using a $100,000 Clay Township Downtown Development Authority grant, the department has also purchased Live Scan fingerprinting equipment.
Craig Davison, "Clay Township police get high-tech," Times Herald (Port Huron, Mich.), 14 May 2007: 1B
Kansas City Police Set up Pilot DNA Program
In an effort to solve property crimes with DNA evidence, the Kansas City, Mo. Police Department has initiated a pilot program to train officers to collect DNA evidence from crime scenes. The state's DNA database has samples from about 138,700 people - adding 7,000 new ones each week - but since 3,000 crimes are reported every month, crime scene investigators usually focus their efforts on violent crimes.
Christine Vendel, "Burglars, beware: DNA on way; Pilot program trains officers to take samples at burglary locales, in hopes of solving more crimes," The Kansas City (Mo.) Star, 17 May 2007: A1
Podcasts Offered by Illinois Sheriff
Audio and video podcasts are now being offered by the Will County Sheriff's Office, with email subscription registration available on the department Web site. The podcasts cover crime trends, crime prevention tips and other information of interest to area residents.
Hal Dardick, "Will County gets police podcast; Sheriff's Department plans Internet updates as forum to inform the public, curb crimes," Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2007: Metro 1
New Computers Help Butler Township Police Make Arrest
During a traffic stop for speeding, a Butler Township police officer used the department's new squad car computers to arrest a man claiming be his brother. The alias was discovered, and later confirmed by a fingerprint check, because driver's license photos of the man and his brother were retrieved and compared by the officer using a connection to the Pennsylvania JNET database.
"High-tech gets first real test; Butler Twp. police," Wilkes Barre (Pa.) Times Leader, 14 May 2007: A3
GPS Monitoring in Tennessee
Global positioning system devices used by the Clarksville Police Department to monitor offenders have not only freed up jail space but have also helped solve a number of crimes. The GPS equipment tracks the offender’s every movement, no longer requiring the offender to own a telephone as early monitoring devices did.
Matt Rennels, "GPS technology helps police track offenders," The Leaf-Chronicle (Clarksville, Tenn.), 13 May 2007: 3A
Video Training for Ohio Juvenile Offenders
The Ohio Department of Youth Services, which runs the prison system for youthful offenders, is funding a virtual classroom for inmates in an effort to reduce recidivism. Classes on a variety of subjects are offered through videoconferencing to a number of prisons at the same time.
Greg Sowinski, "Virtual classroom helps juvenile offenders," The Lima (Ohio) News, 13 May 2007
GPS Monitoring in Idaho
Jerome County, Idaho has begun monitoring certain low-risk offenders with global positioning system devices, saving county funds since offenders pay the GPS costs. The ankle-monitors also free up jail space for felony inmates.
Cassidy Friedman, "Global positioning system replacing jail bars for some inmates," Times-News (Twin Falls, Idaho), 9 May 2007
Louisiana Protective Order Registry Receives FBI Award
As Chair of the Louisiana Supreme Court Technology Committee, Justice Catherine D. "Kitty" Kimball announced on May 10 that the Louisiana Protective Order Registry (LPOR) received the prestigious Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division Assistant Director's Award for Outstanding Contribution to State and Local Public Safety. LPOR is the first of forty-five state registries, and the only court-managed program, to win this award. According to FBI CJIS Assistant Director Thomas Bush, III, "The LPOR displays exceptional initiative and unselfishness, making themselves available to the FBI around the clock to ensure potential gun purchasers, who are also the subjects of court issued protective orders, do not receive possession of a firearm."
Joe Gyan Jr., "FBI touts Louisiana registry of court protective orders," The Advocate (Baton Rouge, La.), 17 May 2007: A18
Probate Court in Morgan County, Ala. Upgrades Technology
The Morgan County, Ala. Probate Office has improved efficiency with a new computer system that digitally records all court proceedings, making it easy to retrieve witness statements. The $11,188 system also improves court security with digital surveillance of the courtroom and all offices.
Sheryl Marsh, "Morgan probate court goes high tech," The Decatur (Ala.) Daily, 18 May 2007
