Florida Database Helps Fight Terrorism
More than 80 of 355 police agencies in Florida have begun sharing internal arrest records and other information using the Florida Integrated Network for Data Exchange and Retrieval (FINDER), with the rest of the state expected to be on board by 2007. The system, which relies on participant fees and is overseen by the University of Central Florida Public Safety Technology Center, lets agencies tap into pawn-shop records and field-information reports that offer help in fighting crime and terrorism.
Source: Pedro Ruz Gutierrez, “Database Connects Cops; UCF Computer Project Could Help Thwart Crimes, Terrorist Acts,” Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2005: B1
Massachusetts Police Agencies Hope to Improve Information Sharing
Police in the southeastern Massachusetts communities of Taunton, Raynham, Lakeville and Fall River hope to build a fiber optic and wireless information sharing network, based on a Bristol County Sheriff's Office pilot project conducted in November 2002. Officials hope the project will qualify for federal homeland security money administered by the Southeast Homeland Security Regional Advisory Council (SRAC).
Source: Rebecca Hyman, “Area chiefs eye high tech information link,” Taunton (Mass.) Gazette, 3 Feb. 2005
ATF Releases Bomb Arson Tracking System
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has announced the creation of the second version of ATF’s Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS 2.0). It is the first web-based intelligence database that will allow federal, state and local law enforcement and bomb scene commanders to share crucial information about arson and explosives incidents around the nation.
Source: "ATF Announces New Intelligence Database to Track All Arson and Explosives Incidents Around the Country," ATF press release, 1 Feb. 2005
New CAD System Improves Officer Safety on Kauai
Kauai County, Hawaii Police hope to increase officer safety through a new computerized records management system. As part of a recently completed computer-aided dispatch program, dispatchers can quickly review the history of emergency calls at specific addresses and identify potential threats before police are sent there.
Source: Jan TenBruggencate, “Kaua'i boosts police safety; Computer system to provide weapons, warrant information,” The Honolulu Advertiser, 31 Jan. 2005: 1B
Online Reporting to Brattleboro, Vt. Police
The Brattleboro, Vt. Police Department's Web site has added an online reporting function for residents to report crimes or send tips on most wanted suspects. Since launching the section in January, the department reports it has gotten 27 locates on wanted persons.
Source: Andrew Ragouzeos, “Local police use Web to snare 'most wanted',” Brattleboro (Vt.) Reformer, 9 Feb. 2005
Gulf Coast Law Enforcement Alliance Project
The Nueces County, Texas Sheriff’s Department, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) have launched the Gulf Coast Law Enforcement Alliance Project, a criminal information clearinghouse for Texas law enforcement agencies. Funded through $2 million from NCIS as a possible national model, the computer network will allow law enforcement officials from 17 area police agencies to access reports on everything from traffic stops to felony arrests.
Source: Neal Falgoust, “Area Police Share Data About Crime; Computers will link 17 agencies,” Corpus Christi (Texas) Caller-Times, 4 Feb. 2005: B1
New Homeland Security Grid Will Monitor Chicago
The city of Chicago is planning to create a new “Homeland Security Grid,” a network of fiber-optic cables containing surveillance cameras and biochemical sensors 1,000 miles long to watch for suspicious behavior, such as terrorist or criminal acts. The city-wide network is to be funded by a $53 million cable company settlement and will make Chicago the world leader in public video surveillance.
Source: Hal Dardick, “City will keep eyes peeled big time,” Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2005: 1
