Police in Portland, Maine Develop Secure Intranet
The Portland, Maine Police Department has developed a secure intranet that makes a wide range of information instantly available to officers on the street. The wireless system links laptop computers in cruisers to searchable computer databases maintained at the station, including logs from the different beats, briefings from the intelligence unit, safety bulletins and special alerts.
David Hench, "Intranet puts data at officers' fingertips; Portland police are among those with instant access to information on laptops," Portland (Maine) Press Herald, 30 Jan. 2007: A1
Charleston, W.Va. Gets Grant for Surveillance Cameras
The city of Charleston, W.Va. has purchased 45 surveillance cameras to install around City Hall, and may install additional cameras to monitor other city buildings and high-crime zones. A $1 million federal homeland security grant was used to make the security upgrade.
Kelly Holleran, "Cameras going up to fight crime; Charleston may use grant money for security surveillance around town," Charleston (W.Va.) Daily Mail, 29 Jan. 2007: 1A
Louisiana Parishes Get New Digital Radio System
A new $32 million digital radio system will allow first responders in Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes to communicate over designated group channels during emergencies. The new system will also improve information sharing in the fight against cross-jurisdictional crime by allowing detectives and other law enforcement officers to communicate more easily.
Gordon Russell, "Radio system links 4 parishes; First responders ready to work together," Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.), 30 Jan. 2007: Metro 1
License Plate Scanning in Buffalo
Police in Buffalo, N.Y. issued more than 2,600 tickets and misdemeanor summonses during a recent trial of license plate readers. The department, like many across the country, has decided to routinely use the scanners to rapidly identify vehicles with lapsed registrations and outstanding warrants.
Stephen T. Watson, "Your license plate may be on candid camera; Privacy fears rise as police scan vehicles to nab illegal drivers, ticket scofflaws," Buffalo (N.Y.) News, 22 Jan. 2007: A1
Rhode Island Towns Joining Statewide Radio System
The South Kingstown Police Department plans to join the new Rhode Island 800 MHz radio system, under development for several years, as a way of improving communications interoperability during emergencies. Many area departments are joining the system, using a combination of federal and state grants as well as local funding to pay for user fees and new equipment.
Katie Mulvaney, "Police and fire upgrading to high-tech radios," The Providence (R.I.) Journal, 23 Jan. 2007: D1
