LEWISTON (ID) POLICE GET NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM
The Lewiston, Idaho, Police Department has installed a $225,000 computer system that will enable officers to communicate by silent dispatch from their vehicles. The system will be phased in while officers learn to use the new computers, which will also allow officers to run their own license plate checks, prepare reports electronically, and even view booking photos online if suspects have been arrested previously.
Source: “Computers let cops run silent, run deep; Technology will bring end to era of radio scanners, static” by Dean Ferguson; Lewiston (ID) Morning Tribune, 21 May 2004: 1C
SACRAMENTO POLICE UPGRADE COMMUNICATIONS
The Sacramento, Calif., Police Department is entering the final phase of its $10 million multiyear communications upgrade, funded through a 1996 federal grant. The first phase provided cruiser laptop computers, the second phase provided a new records management system, and the final phase will be a new computer aided dispatch system with automatic vehicle locator to identify the closest police vehicle to an emergency call.
Source: “Sacramento police dispatch undergoes high-tech upgrade” by Elizabeth Hume; Sacramento Bee, 22 May 2004: B2
NEBRASKA USE OF GRANTS TO UPGRADE COMMUNICATIONS
Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns announced that a large portion of the $23 million in federal homeland grants received this week will be used to improve first responder communications interoperability. The Nebraska State Patrol will get about $1.5 million to upgrade its dispatch system and link it to the state's main telecommunications backbone, and much of the $19 million allocated to counties will be used to strengthen communication systems.
Source: “Homeland security grants will boost communication systems” by Martha Stoddard; Omaha World Herald, 21 May 2004: B1
KANSAS CITY JOINS HOMELAND SECURITY INFORMATION NETWORK
Kansas City, Mo., has become the 35th metropolitan area to join the Homeland Security Information Network designed to help city, state and federal agencies share critical information over a secure Web site that functions similar to an Internet chat room. The computer-based counterterrorism communications systems is expected to include all 50 states, five U.S. territories, Washington, D.C., and 50 major urban areas by year’s end.
Source: “KC won't be 'weak spot'; City joins network to share security information” by Tanyanika Samuels; The Kansas City Star, 22 May 2004: B2
HONOLULU POLICE CREATE TRAFFIC WEB SITE
The Honolulu Police Department (HPD) has teamed with the city's Office of Information Technology to develop an intelligent transportation Web site to help area drivers learn about daily traffic snarls. Traffic-related data from the HPD dispatch center is posted every 30 seconds to the site, enabling drivers to learn about traffic accidents, stalled cars and other roadside hazards before they get on the road.
Source: “Web site tracks traffic woes for O'ahu drivers” by Mike Leidemann; The Honolulu Advertiser, 24 May 2004: 1B
OLATHE (KS) POLICE USE OF NEW DISPATCH SYSTEM
The Olathe, Kan., Police Department's computer aided dispatch system offers officers in cruisers the ability to communicate by silent dispatch, view online maps on the way to 911 calls, and see the location of other department vehicles. Dispatchers can quickly decide which cruiser is the closest to an emergency call, thereby improving 911 response time.
Source: “System helps dispatchers manage potential chaos; Computers track patrol cars, ease communication” by Brandon Babcock; The Kansas City Star, 15 May 2004
