Concord (NC) Police Get Records Management Grant
The Concord (North Carolina) Police Department recently received a Congressional earmark of $894,150 for a new records management system, and is awaiting approval of its implementation plan by the U.S. Department of Justice before using the funding. The new records system will offer improved tracking and analysis of crime data. In addition, officers will be able to prepare reports electronically on their patrol car laptops, and evidence will be tracked through barcodes.
Source: "Grant Will Cut Police Paperwork; New Technology Can Free Concord Officers for More Problem-Solving" by Jaime Levy; Charlotte (NC) Observer, 13 July 2003: 1K
Nebraska DNA Database Solves Crimes
Nebraska’s DNA database – run by the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab – has been used to solve the 1995 rape and robbery of a hotel employee in Ohio. The man identified by the DNA match is a Nebraska inmate already in prison for the rape and robbery of a hotel clerk in that state. It is the first crime solved by the Nebraska DNA database. Three other rape cases were linked to a single suspect by the DNA database, though those cases were eventually solved with the aid of a tip from the public.
Source: "DNA database proves worth; Four cases are cleared with the help of Nebraska's system, which is accessible nationwide" by Karyn Spencer; Omaha (NE) World Herald, 7 July 2003: B1
Florida Anti-Terror Training Exercise
The Indian River County (Florida) Sheriff's Office held the latest in a series of bimonthly training scenarios for the Region 5 Florida Sheriffs Association Terrorism Task Force, created to increase coordination between law enforcement agencies that have not previously worked together. Special weapons and tactics (SWAT) teams and emergency response teams from seven counties participated in the anti-terrorism drill set inside a school. The task force will evaluate the drill to make necessary improvements in emergency response procedures.
Source: "Threats and Responses; SWAT, ERT teams converge in Sebastian to hone anti-terrorism skills in training exercises" by Joe Rauch; Press Journal (Vero Beach, FL) 12 July 2003: A1
Illinois State Terrorism Intelligence Center
Illinois' State Terrorism Intelligence Center (STIC) has been operating 24/7 since May 14, as a joint operation of the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, the Illinois Sheriffs' Association, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, U.S. attorneys' offices, the FBI and other federal agencies. The center operates at an undisclosed site using federal and state funding, and is staffed by one State Police officer and two analysts. Officers from any Illinois law enforcement agency are urged to call the center's toll-free number to report suspicious terror-related activity associated with traffic stops or other arrests.
Source: "New state anti-terrorism center staffed and operating" by Dana Heupel; Copley News Service 18 July 2003
Mountain Brook (AL) Police Buy Biometric Access Control System
The Mountain Brook (Alabama) Police Department plans to acquire a biometric access control system for its evidence storage room after the City Council approved the $10,999 purchase. The biometric system will use thumbprints as an identifier, allowing only authorized persons to enter the area.
Source: "City’s Police Getting Biometric Access System" by Michelle Q. Guffey; Birmingham (AL) News, 2 July 2003
Illinois Integrated Justice Information System Strategic Plan
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich recently announced the release of the 79-page "Illinois Integrated Justice Information System Strategic Plan 2003-2004" to advance the integration of state, county, and local justice information systems throughout the state. Integrating such databases will allow law enforcement and homeland security data to be shared among police officers, prosecutors, and judges. The plan outlines the remaining challenges, including establishing standards for data sharing and infrastructure development, developing adequate security for interagency data transfers, and implementation of biometric technologies for identification of suspects.
Source: "Illinois Integrated Justice Information System Strategic Plan;" Illinois press release, 28 June 2003
