Oklahoma City PD Upgrades Technology
The Oklahoma City Police Department has upgraded technology, thanks to a sales tax increase approved by voters in March 2000 that has raised $92.9 million so far. Some of that revenue was used to purchase squad car computers, GPS equipment and wireless connectivity to improve emergency response and officer safety.
Micah Gamino, "New police equipment may improve response times," The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Okla.), 8 June 2007: 15A
NYPD Fusion Center Helps Fight Crime
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) Real Time Crime Center ties together various law enforcement databases – such as nicknames and tattoos - to help connect the dots in investigations and solve crimes. The Center currently accepts cases brought to it by detectives and precinct commanders, speeding up the investigative process for detectives who formerly were limited to searching paper files.
Thomas J. Lueck, "From Database to Crime Scene: Network Is Potent Police Weapon," The New York Times, 7 June 2007: B1
Wisconsin County to Add Squad Car Computers
The Dodge County, Wis. Sheriff's Department plans to install computers in its 35 patrol vehicles, using $273,000 approved by the County Board. The laptop computers will enable deputies to run their own records checks, with GPS locators in each vehicle improving department operations.
"Dodge County squad cars get new mobile computers," The Reporter (Fond du Lac, Wis.), 22 May 2007: 5A
DNA Cold Hits Help Miami-Dade Cold Case Squad
Miami-Dade cold case detectives have solved two 1993 North Miami-Dade rape cases using DNA database evidence. The Florida prison inmate now charged with the crimes against two minors was convicted in 2002 for sexually assaulting a minor younger than 12 years of age.
David Ovalle, "DNA links inmate to two rapes," The Miami (Fla.) Herald, 7 June 2007: B6
Florida City Introduces Visitor Pass System
The Port St. Lucie Police Department has begun using a computerized pass system to improve security of its offices. Visitors must wear credit card-sized stickers that include their photos, name of the person being visited, an expiration date, and bar codes, which are scanned upon exiting the facility.
Will Greenlee, "Port St. Lucie police go high-tech with new pass system for visitors," Port St. Lucie (Fla.) News, 23 May 2007: B1
