Connecticut State Police's $46M systems upgrade
Connecticut State Police are undergoing a $46 million communications system upgrade that will equip cruisers with laptop computers, video cameras and automatic vehicle location devices. Troopers will be able to write reports in their vehicles and email non-emergency messages to dispatchers and other troopers over a secure intranet. All radios and laptop computers will also have panic buttons that troopers can use during emergencies.
Source: “State Police Outfitted With State-of-Art Technology” by Tracy Gordon Fox; Hartford (CT) Courant, May 17, 2001, Pg. A4
San Antonio (TX) Police upgrading to CDPD
The San Antonio (Texas) Police Department is upgrading its fleet of 600 squad cars to wireless Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD). The computers in those vehicles will enable officers to run their own license plate and other record checks, and will allow dispatchers to track vehicles by satellite in order to send the closest ones to respond to 911 calls. The $12 million laptop communications system was approved by voters in 1998.
Source: “High-tech advantage; New wireless computer system a boost for officers” by Roy Bragg; San Antonio (TX) Express-News, May 20, 2001, Pg. 1K
Charleston (SC) Police use of handheld computers
The Charleston (South Carolina) Police Department has equipped 20 of its traffic officers with handheld computers that allow SLED, NCIC and DMV record checks without using dispatchers. The device weighs less than 4 ounces, and is equipped with an internal two-way data radio, address book and memo pad. The department is the first in the state to equip their officers with the handhelds, which allow officers to run more license plate checks and arrest more drivers with suspended licenses.
Source: “Technology helps police fight crime” by Katherine Lowrie; The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC) May 17, 2001
Lakeland (FL) Police to build new wireless network
Lakeland, Florida plans to build its own wireless communications network, which will benefit both the Police Department and Fire Department. The city will place antennas the size of pens on about 40 existing utility poles and city buildings. The new system will offer increased bandwidth for police and fire department communications, allowing transmission of large files such as mug shots and floor plans. The city will spend $430,000 to buy and install the antennas and will spend another $50,000 per year to fix reception trouble spots.
Source: “Officers Use of Laptops Grows; A New Wireless Communications Network is Planned for Lakeland” by Michael Sasso; The Ledger (Lakeland, FL) May 12, 2001, Pg. E2
Arlington County (VA) Police use crime mapping technology
Arlington County (Virginia) Police are using crime mapping technologies to better allocate police resources and present visual representations of crime trends to neighborhoods. 70% of the nation’s police departments with at least 100 officers are using some type of crime mapping. Arlington County currently makes monthly computer-generated maps that track burglaries, robberies, vehicle thefts and traffic accidents in its four police districts.
Source: “Arlington Plots A New Strategy To Fight Crime; Statistics, Mapping Technology Help Police Visualize, Track Down Criminals” by Patricia Davis; Washington Post, May 3, 2001, Pg. T6
N.C. SBI solves 1990 murders with DNA match
The North Carolina State Bureau of Identification and Investigation lab recently matched DNA samples from three 1990 rape and murder cases to a sample in the state DNA database. A Wayne County man has been charged with three counts each of first-degree murder, first-degree rape and first-degree burglary. His DNA sample was taken in 1996 following a conviction on a weapons charge. The DNA match was made recently using new equipment obtained through a $700,000 federal grant.
Source: “DNA leads to arrest in 11-year-old murder cases;” The Associated Press State & Local Wire, May 2, 2001
