North Carolina SBI Database Helps Close Case
A cold hit by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation DNA database has helped police in High Point, N.C. link a state prison inmate to a May 1997 rape case. The inmate, currently serving a 21-year sentence for armed robbery, now faces additional charges of rape, kidnapping and burglary.
Pat Kimbrough, "SBI database made arrest in cold case possible," High Point (N.C.) Enterprise, 3 April 2007
Minneapolis Replaces Dispatch System
The City of Minneapolis has completed a $4.3 upgrade of the city's 20-year-old computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system serving police, fire and medical services. The city is the first in the state with the sophisticated 911 system, similar to those used in New York, Dallas, Denver, Fresno, Calif., and Austin, Texas, that greatly improves emergency operations.
David Chanen, "New 911 system gives responders huge boost; Armed with real-time data, Minneapolis dispatchers can send nearest officers to crime scenes," Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minn.), 11 April 2007: 1A
Virginia Announces 4,000th DNA Databank Cold Hit
Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has announced that the Virginia Department of Forensic Science (DFS), a national leader in the field of forensic DNA, has recorded its 4000th “hit” to Virginia’s Offender DNA Databank. An offender profile from the Virginia DNA Databank matched an evidence sample from a rape case that occurred in California in 2002. In 1989, DFS became the first state laboratory in the country to offer DNA analyses to law enforcement.
"Governor Kaine Announces 4,000th DNA Databank "Cold Hit;" Virginia leads the nation in effectively using DNA," Office of the Governor Timothy M. Kaine news release, 3 April 2007
High-Tech Ticketing to be Implemented in Fredericksburg, Va.
Fredericksburg, Va. is the first locality in the nation to purchase an automated ticketing system that enables police officers to issue parking tickets without leaving their vehicles, speeding up the traffic enforcement process. The $100,000 system uses video, laser and GPS technology to take photos of license plates, allowing officials to target repeat offenders.
Kiran Krishnamurthy, "High-tech ticketing system to debut; Parking violators in Fredericksburg will be spotted using GPS," Richmond (Va.) Times Dispatch, 2 April 2007: B1
Law Enforcement Retail Partnership Network Formed to Reduce Theft
The Retail Industry Leaders Association and the National Retail Federation, two of the shopping industry's largest trade groups, are working with the FBI to create an information sharing database that tracks the increasing number of thefts by retail crime gangs. The Law Enforcement Retail Partnership Network, or LERPnet, will be funded through membership fees from retailers, who hope to reduce the $37.5 billion the industry lost to theft in 2005.
Ylan Q. Mui, "Retailers Join Forces to Track Theft Rings," The Washington Post, 6 April 2007: D1
Communications Improvements Planned for Indiana County
A $37 million digital communications system will be installed by 2008 to improve Marion County public safety and other radio communications. The system will decrease the number of communication dead spots in the county with new radios and radio towers.
Vic Ryckaert, "Backing up backup calls; Marion County's communications system is getting a $37M upgrade to decrease areas of poor reception where police and firefighters can't radio for help," The Indianapolis (Ind.) Star, 11 April 2007: 1
