Dallas Police Set Up Fusion Center
The Dallas Police Department is assembling a team of analysts for the Metro Operations Support and Analytical Intelligence Center to process crime tips and trends and better allocate department resources. The "intelligence-led policing" effort to link various police databases will be accomplished using equipment and software purchased through a $1.5 million federal Homeland Security grant.
Tanya Eiserer, "Police set on new strategy Dallas: Center to analyze info with quick access to many databases," The Dallas (Texas) Morning News, 16 Jan. 2007: 1B
Regional Information Sharing in Kansas City
A regional information system is being planned for Kansas and Missouri cities and towns surrounding Kansas City, using a $300,000 Homeland Security grant funded through the Mid-American Regional Council. Individual cities must still approve funding to join the system, with 13 cities signing on to the system so far.
Mike Ekey, "Police database to link area departments," The Kansas City (Mo.) Star, 19 Jan. 2007
Fighting Methamphetamine Crime in Indiana
In order to keep up the fight against methamphetamine crime in Indiana, several initiatives are underway to help law enforcement agencies across the state share information. One legislative proposal would make the Indiana State Police responsible for a state registry listing methamphetamine offenders, while another effort by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute would create a repository for all the information the state collects on meth offenders and crimes.
Angela Mapes, "Databases compiled to curtail meth trade; 1 system would track precursor purchases," Fort Wayne (Ind.) Journal-Gazette, 14 Jan. 2007: C1
Hialeah Police Add Squad Car Laptops
The Hialeah Police Department has outfitted its cruisers with laptop computers, enabling officers to run background checks on license plates without having to wait five minutes for the response from a police dispatcher. Officers can also now prepare reports in their vehicles, making the fleet of 120 cars much more efficient.
Laura Figueroa, "Patrol cars go high-tech with laptops," The Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2007: NW 4
California Town Gets Squad Car Laptops
The Livingston Police Department has installed laptop computers in its cruisers, enabling officers to run their own background checks and prepare reports electronically without having to return to police headquarters. The $242,690 upgrade will also put the touch-screen computers in unmarked police vehicles.
Scott Jason, "Livingston police go high-tech in their cruisers," The Merced (Calif.) Sun-Star, 12 Jan. 2007: B1
Florida County Gets New Radio Communications System
A new $7.2 million emergency radio system is online in Nassau County, Fla., offering improved communications for firefighters and deputies during emergencies. First responders struggled with dead spots on the old system, but new towers provide clear signals to over 99% of the county.
Kevin Turner, New county emergency system ends dead spots; The $7.2 million state of the art system will provide better coverage, Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville), 17 Jan. 2007: P1
