P.G. County (MD) unifies police-fire communications
One of the lessons learned from September 11th is the need for improved communications compatibility among local police and fire departments. The 1,400-member Prince George's County (Maryland) Police Department and 760-member Fire Department have recently brought online a single system connecting both departments to 911 dispatchers and public safety dispatchers. Firefighters and police officers can now talk to each other by radio, and dispatch response times have been reduced from three to four minutes to about one minute.
Source: "Public Safety Agencies Unite; Communications Coordinated, Reducing Response Time" by Jamie Stockwell; Washington Post, September 12, 2002, Prince George’s edition Pg. T3
New York's Counter-Terrorism Network.
New York is investing $2 million to install a secure network of 300 computers across the state to quickly transmit homeland security information to local police agencies. Information shared over the Counter-Terrorism Network, developed by the New York State Office of Public Security (OPS) , will include everything from foreign intelligence briefings to tips from local citizens. Learn more about the status of the network at: http://www.state.ny.us/security/countert.html
Source: "Computer Chain to Speed Anti-Terror Data Statewide" by Stephen Watson; The Buffalo (NY) News, September 5, 2002, Pg. B8
Collierville (TN) Police get technology grant
The Collierville (Tennessee) Police Department recently received a $14,980 Governor's Highway Safety Office grant for six laptop computers and software for traffic officers to use in diagramming fatal accidents and other major crashes. Officers have been trained to use the software to diagram accident scenes, and can prepare electronic reports using that data and digital photos, which can then be studied to reduce traffic fatalities.
Source: "Grants Help Police Reach Out to Other Communities" by Jimmie Covington; The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) August 29, 2002, Pg. GC1
Richmond (CA) Police get emergency communications center
The Richmond (California) Police Department debuted its $125,000 Command Intelligence Center on September 11 to prepare for the heightened national terrorism alert. The high-tech communications center includes a new satellite imaging system, videoconferencing equipment, and equipment that can monitor many news channels simultaneously. Richmond Police patrol rail lines, large refineries, bridges and other potential terrorist targets.
Source: "Richmond debuts terror warning system; The $125,000 center is needed for a city with refineries and other potential targets, says Police Chief Samuels" by Karl Fischer; Contra Costa (CA) Times, September 12, 2002, Pg. A3
DNA cold hit helps Albuquerque (NM) Police
The Albuquerque (New Mexico) Police Department recently announced the arrest of a 53-year-old man for the rape of a 92-year-old woman in a local nursing home. The identification of the man was made through a DNA cold hit that matched a sample from Washington state in the FBI’s national CODIS database.
Source: "DNA links suspect to rape of 92-year-old" by Andy Lenderman; Albuquerque (NM) Tribune, August 29, 2002, Pg. A3
D.C. area Capital Wireless Integrated Network
Virginia, Maryland and D.C. officials recently announced a $19 million interstate emergency communications system that will connect law enforcement and emergency personnel, allowing shared communications and criminal records searches across the Capital area. Funding for the Capital Wireless Integrated Network (CapWIN) project comes from an earmark in the $40 billion supplemental Congressional appropriations bill passed after the Sept. 11 attacks. That bill has also funded several similar interoperability projects nationwide.
Source: "IBM to Build Region's Emergency Communications Network" by Renae Merle; Washington Post, August 22, 2002, Pg. E5
