NYPD use of handheld computers
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) plans to purchase 200 handheld computers at $3,500 each that can be used to run license plate and other records checks. Officers used such computers last month to run a routine check on a man and discovered that he was wanted for a triple murder in St. Louis. New models of the computers will allow transmission of mug shots and other image files, making more information available to officers when they are away from their squad car computers.
Source: “Cops' New Weapon; Tiny computer links local, nat'l crime info” by John Marzulli; Daily News (New York) May 23, 2001
Westwego (LA) Police use technology to collect unpaid fines
The Westwego (Louisiana) Police Department recently purchased computers and software using federal grant funds in order to be linked to Jefferson Parish’s Automated Record Management Mapping System (ARMMS). Westwego has 1,500 unpaid fines totaling at least $500,000, which until now have not been tracked electronically. By entering its records into the parish-wide system, Westwego hopes to better track outstanding warrants for misdemeanor crimes and collect unpaid fines.
Source: “Computers help Westwego cops collect old fines; Police chief puts scofflaws on notice” by Rob Nelson; The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA) May 27, 2001
Computers forensics in Vermont
Law enforcement agencies across Vermont are investigating more cases of computer crime, including child pornography and online fraud. The Vermont State Police forensic computer lab has one full-time officer, and the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations – a multi-agency task force based in Burlington – has several officers who perform computer forensics. Both groups could use additional funding to handle the increased caseload, and the state’s Attorney General is determining how much to request from the Legislature next year.
Source: “State coming to grips with computer crime” by Wilson Ring; Associated Press State & Local Wire, May 29, 2001
Edmond (OK) upgrades emergency communications
The City of Edmond, Oklahoma has completed the last phase of its $6.5 million emergency communications technology upgrade by activating an automatic vehicle locator system that will be used for tracking and dispatching emergency vehicles. The city’s new equipment include an 800-MHz radio system, records management system and wireless laptops. All are designed to improve communications between Police and Fire personnel, and allow communications and record checks with other local, state and federal agencies.
Source: “System helps police answer calls; Computer tracks location of emergency vehicles” by Kenna Griffin; The Daily Oklahoman, May 25, 2001
Tustin (CA) Police upgrading technology
The Tustin (California) Police Department is currently installing laptop computer in squad cars, enabling officers to run their own license plate checks without using dispatchers or returning to headquarters. Officers can also prepare reports in their vehicles, allowing them to stay in the field longer. The department has also received a county grant towards the purchase of LiveScan fingerprint equipment for rapid checks against the state print database.
Source: “Chief leads high-tech department; Tustin PD goes electronic” by Christine Morente; The Tustin News; The Orange County (CA) Register, May 24, 2001
Elkhorn (NE) Police monitor high school via Web
Elkhorn (Nebraska) Police can now monitor the 16 security cameras at Elkhorn High School over the Internet, making the cameras much more useful after school hours when school employees go home. The camera network cost $15,000, and allows digital images to be recorded and enhanced. So far the system has been used to catch vandals and pranksters, but would be especially useful in handling the kind of situation that occurred at Columbine High School.
Source: “System Lets Police Monitor School Via Web” by Tom Shaw; Omaha (NE) World-Herald, May 30, 2001, Pg. 15
