Iowa is Strengthening Intelligence Network
The State of Iowa is spending federal homeland security grants totaling nearly $12 million to beef up its law enforcement intelligence network so authorities are better equipped to catch terrorists before they strike. In addition to law enforcement information already being shared across Iowa, such as reports of stolen vehicles and arrest warrants, the expanded network could include the statewide exchange of such information as avian flu cases, attempts to breach security at power plants, bomb threats and break-ins involving the theft of explosives.
Source: Jonathan Roos, "State broadens anti-terror network," Des Moines (Iowa) Register, 30 Oct. 2005: 1B
U.S. House Hearing on “Ensuring Operability During Catastrophic Events”
Obstacles to achieving seamless communications between police, fire, ambulance and other first-responder agencies prompted sharp comments from lawmakers during a U.S. House Homeland Security hearing on Oct. 26. The Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science and Technology heard testimony from witnesses representing the Homeland Security Department's Safecom program, the Federal Communications Commission, the Pentagon and the Agriculture Department's Forest Service.
Source: Wilson P. Dizard III, “Communications interoperability issues dominate hearing,” Government Computer News, 26 Oct. 2005
Cook County, Illinois Wi-Fi Project Under Development
Cook County, Ill. expects by the end of November to finish the first phase of a $12.8 million Wi-Fi network that will weave together the emergency networks of 27 Cook County municipalities as well as several county agencies. Project Shield will also place surveillance cameras in emergency vehicles and at several fixed sites throughout the county.
Source: Mike Hughlett, "Wireless emergency-response project nears end of 1st phase," Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2005
Fusion Center to be Created in Texas
Texas Gov. Rick Perry has announced the release of the "Texas Homeland Security Strategic Plan 2005-2010," which focuses on making Texas safer and better equipped to deter acts of terrorism and respond to disasters, whether natural or man made. Among its objectives, the plan focuses on building a statewide intelligence capability and enhancing multi-agency counterterrorism investigations through the creation of a Texas Fusion Center.
Source: "Gov. Perry Releases Updated Homeland Security Strategic Plan," State of Texas press release, 2 Nov. 2005
Hillsboro, Ore. Police Get Squad Car Laptops
Starting next year, the Hillsboro, Ore. Police Department will be the first in Washington County to turn patrol cars into virtual offices, allowing police to continue cruising in the community rather than cooped up in the office. City councilors recently agreed to spend nearly $150,000 to equip 30 cars with wireless laptop computers so officers can directly access driving records, mug shots and work-related e-mail.
Source: Esmerelda Bermudez, "Hillsboro will outfit police cars with access to Web resources," The Oregonian (Portland, Ore.), 25 Oct. 2005: B3
DNA Cold Hit Nabs North Carolina Serial Rapist
DNA evidence from a routine house break-in in August eventually led Winston-Salem, N.C. police to the man they have charged in connection with a string of sexual assaults earlier this year. The state crime lab in Raleigh matched DNA from the break-in to evidence taken from the scenes of sexual assaults in February.
Source: Dan Galindo, "DNA Links Man, Rapes; police file charges in 4 sexual attacks," Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal, 30 Oct. 2005: B1
