NOPD Improves Crime Mapping for Residents
The New Orleans Police Department has unveiled an improved crime mapping tool on its Web site with expanded functionality for residents. The site allows users to search by address, police district boundaries, neighborhoods, and ZIP codes, with maps that can be e-mailed and spreadsheets that can be exported.
Brendan McCarthy, "NOPD unveils new crime maps; Online tool has been streamlined," Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.), 20 July 2007: 1
Maryland Hopes to Nab Toll Violators with LPR
The Maryland Transportation Authority has equipped electronic toll enforcement unit vehicles with License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology to catch chronic toll violators. The department has identified hundred of drivers who owe the state $3.4 million in toll revenue.
Michael Dresser, "Toll evaders face high-tech nemesis; New System reads relays license plates," The Baltimore (Md.) Sun, 21 July 2007: 5B
Massachusetts Town Upgrades 911
The Billerica Police Department has begun using a new, computerized 911 system, which allows dispatchers to map the exact location of emergency cell phone callers. The department will also be upgrading to a PC-based radio system.
Jennifer Amy Myers, "911 goes high tech in Billerica," Lowell (Mass.) Sun, 18 July 2007
$1 Billion in Grants Made Available to State and Local Police
U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez and U.S. Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff have announced $968 million in Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grants to help state and local first responders improve public safety communications and coordination during a natural or man-made disaster. The PSIC grant program will assist public safety agencies in the acquisition, deployment, and training of interoperable communications systems to enhance interoperable communications of voice, data, and/or video signals. Applications are due 30 days after the grant announcement.
"Secretaries Gutierrez, Chertoff Announce Nearly $1 Billion in First Responder Communications Grants Funds to Help Fire Fighters, Police and Other First Responders Communicate During a Disaster," DHS news release, 18 July 2007
DNA Cold Hit Solves 1976 Florida Murder
Thanks to a cold hit from the FBI Laboratory's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and investigative work by the St. Petersburg Police Department, the rape and murder of a senile 85-year-old woman on Sept. 17, 1976 has been closed. The convicted sex offender identified through his DNA has confessed to the crime, in which the victim was stabbed 27 times.
Abhi Raghunthan, "DNA leads to arrest in '76 murder," St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times, 18 July 2007: B1
Kansas County Sheriff Posts Outstanding Warrants Online
The Sedgwick County sheriff's office has created a new searchable Web site that lists the names of more than 11,000 people who are wanted on outstanding arrest warrants. In his introduction to the Web site, Sheriff Gary Steed writes, “One of the best tools in law enforcement is the partnership with the public. This philosophy is the cornerstone of the community helping to police themselves."
"Sheriff's office posts warrant list on its Web site," The Wichita (Kan.) Eagle, 18 July 2007: B1
