New Hampshire's homeland security progress
New Hampshire has improved its antiterrorism capabilities, says a report recently released by the state Commission on Preparedness and Security. Progress includes thorough training and equipping of response workers, increased security at airports and power plants, and improved health system capability to handle large numbers of patients in case of a bioterrorist attack. A Progress Report on New Hampshire's Preparedness And Security was submitted to outgoing Governor Jeanne Shaheen before her term of office expired.
Source: "Report says NH’s anti-terrorist capabilities greatly improved," by Tom Fahey; The Union Leader (Manchester, NH) January 7, 2003, Pg. B3
York County (SC) communications upgrade
The York County (South Carolina) Office of Emergency Management plans to replace its 1970s-vintage communications system by 2006, after two evaluations of the system by outside consultants outlined the system’s weaknesses in connectivity and interoperability. The new $13.6 million system will include everything from handheld radios and pagers to mobile computers for patrol cars. The system will be paid for by a combination of general obligation bonds, increased 911 fees and taxes, depending on what voters approve at the polls.
Source: "Communication upgrade promises better response" by Caroline Brustad; The Herald (Rock Hill, SC) January 15, 2003, Pg. 1A
Nassau County (NY) Police use crime analysis tool
Nassau County (New York) Police have seen a reduction in many categories of crimes over the last year, and view their use of the NASS-STAT crime-analysis tool as a major factor in that success. NASS-STAT, modeled after New York City’s COMPSTAT system, details crimes by time and location, allowing police resources to be better allocated. Murders dropped 14% in 2002 -- from 28 to 24 cases-- while sexual assaults fell 10%, robberies fell 2% and auto theft fell 7%.
Source: "Beating Crime With Computers; Nassau system helps manage resources" by Dionne Searcey and Keiko Morris; Newsday (Nassau and Suffolk, NY edition) January 16, 2003, Pg. A24
Anne Arundel County (MD) communications
Anne Arundel County, Maryland plans to replace its 15-year-old Police and Fire communications system over the next year. The new $12.7 million 800-megahertz system will offer improved reliability through the elimination of deadspots, as well as increased interoperability with other state and local departments. The county also hopes to upgrade radio towers, triple the digital microwave backbone, and distribute new radios that allow enhanced transmissions inside buildings.
Source: "Public safety radio upgrade set to begin; $12.7 million initiative to boost communication for firefighters, police" by Julie Bykowicz; The Baltimore (MD) Sun, January 8, 2003, Pg. 1B
Wyoming's homeland security progress
Wyoming’s Homeland Security Council , which consists of four members and five sub-committees, recently stated that despite the state’s limited resources its emergency preparation and response plan has improved and is still being refined. The plan includes training of emergency first responders in both small and large towns to prepare for natural disasters as well as terrorist attacks. 90% of the state’s 11,000 first responders are volunteers.
Source: "Homeland Security Council Moving Forward With Goals," by Juliette Rule; Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, January 10, 2003, Pg. A9
DNA cold hit on 1971 Calif. murder case
On January 7, the El Dorado County (California) Sheriff's Office received notification of a DNA cold hit by the State Department of Justice for the 1971 homicide of a 21-year-old woman. After a routine check of 260,000 DNA samples in the database, a California prison inmate's DNA was found to match the crime scene sample from the cold case. Information on the inmate is not being released at the current time.
Source: "DNA is clue to 1971 murder; A recent, random test links a state prison inmate to the old El Dorado case" by Niesha Gates; Sacramento (CA) Bee, January 10, 2003, Pg. B1
