Public Safety Technology in the News

Mapping Technology Used to Curb Drunk Driving
9news.com, (06/28/2008), Adam Chodak

The Weld County (Colorado) Sheriff's Office is using GIS Technology to reduce drunken driving incidents. The agency has the responsibility of patrolling and monitoring 3,000 miles of roads. In an effort to prevent and reduce DUI incidents, the agency is using GIS Technology to help generate "hotspot" maps that key on DUI-related traffic reports. Officers then use the information as a guide when conducting DUI checkpoints. Prior to the use of GIS Technology, the agency relied on word-of-mouth reports or used officers to review traffic reports to assess where to place the checkpoints. Agency officials say the use of GIS Technology has led to more effective use of agency resources and staff.
www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=94655&catid=188

Police Get High-Tech Help
Opelika-Auburn News, (07/07/2008), Katie Stallcup

Veteran law enforcement officers have the ability and perspective to see firsthand how Technology has affected their jobs. Technology advancements include the use of mobile data terminals (MDTs) in police cruisers versus officers having to return to the station to work at a desktop computer, or in some cases a typewriter, to fill out forms or search for information. Another equipment advancement is the use of lightweight body armor, as opposed to body armor of the 1970s that was big, bulky, and very rigid. Technology advancements in other aspects of law enforcement have led to the conclusion that technology is becoming an important aspect of an officer's job; however face-to-face human contact is still important for the communities they serve.
www.oanow.com/oan/news/local/article/police_get_high_tech_help/21761/

McCain Pushes for Public Safety Network
Cnet.com, (07/02/2008), Marguerite Reardon

Senator John McCain has indicated his support for the establishment of a National Public Safety Network. Speaking at the National Sheriff's Association's annual conference in July, McCain, who is the presumptive Republican nominee for president, said his plan is to have the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) make more radio spectrum available for public safety, while limiting the amount of spectrum available for the private sector. The FCC auctioned off a portion of the spectrum that will be vacated as a result of the transition of TV broadcasts from analog to digital in 2009. The auction, however, did not provide the anticipated results, so a second auction may occur. The FCC is also exploring a possible auction of "white space" spectrum, the area between broadcast TV channels. Internet and computer companies have indicated that this portion of the spectrum could be used for wireless broadband networking.
news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-9983187-94.html

Police Wnt U to Fight crime w/txt Msgs
Associated Press, (07/02/2008), Mitch Stacy

Since police agencies in Boston and Cincinnati began accepting text messages about a year ago, the number of agencies that have adopted or plan to adopt similar Technology has grown to more than 100. The option has already proved useful for a hearing-impaired man in Boston who used text messaging to file a domestic violence report. For citizen tipsters, the system allows anonymity by routing messages through a server that encrypts the tipster's cell phone number. Rewards for successful tips are still offered; the text message tip provider is issued a code to provide to the bank issuing the reward. Agencies acknowledge that just like crime hotlines, text messaging may take time to catch on, and officers need time to become fluent in text message shorthand, but the potential exists for success.
news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080702/ap_on_hi_te/police_text_messages

Hernando: Interactive crime Tracking
Tampa Bay's 10 News, (07/07/2008), Elizabeth Gold

The Hernando County Sheriff's Office in Florida is the first county in the State, and one of five nationally, to implement an online crime mapping system available to the public. Citizens with computer access can view an interactive map of the agency's service area and zoom in to get details of various crimes by clicking on an icon. The site statistics and information go back only 30 days to reduce volume, and the information will be updated every morning. Florida law prohibits the agency from providing data that could put a victim's safety at risk in cases like child abuse, stalking, or other sex crimes.
www.tampabays10.com/news/local/crime/story.aspx?storyid=84279&catid=82

Non-Lethal Weapons: Police Technology Targets Enhanced Safety
News.inventhelp.com, (07/08/2008), Shad Connelly

Tools for law enforcement that make apprehension of suspects safer for all parties involved are being developed for many scenarios. For example, the StarChase System mounts inside the grill of a patrol car. It uses a compressed air launcher with a laser targeting system to launch at the fleeing vehicle a GPS device that contains a transmitter, a receiver, and a power supply. Once the device is deployed, dispatchers and other qualified agency personnel can track the car and use the data to facilitate an intercept of the suspect vehicle. They can also decide that officers should discontinue the pursuit and track the vehicle to a better location for apprehension. For foot patrol officers, a LED Incapacitator is available that works the same way as a flashlight. It uses an extremely bright flashing sequence in multiple colors and patterns that makes it difficult for a human brain to adjust. This disorients the suspect, temporarily providing the officer with cover and the chan! ce to apprehend the suspect.
news.inventhelp.com/Articles/Security/Inventions/starchase-12468.aspx

Dogs' New Trick: Finding Cell Phones
The Washington Post, (07/10/2008), Dan Morse

The Maryland Department of Corrections has enlisted the services of three dogs to thwart smuggling of cell phones into prisons. Cell phones in prison provide inmates the opportunity to continue to carry on illegal activity outside the prison, threaten or intimidate witnesses relating to their case, or conduct activity within the prison. The part of the cell phone that dogs key on for searches is not clear, but for dogs cell phone detection is harder that marijuana detection. Also employing this technique is the Virginia Department of Corrections, which currently has six dogs trained.
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/09/AR2008070902174.html?hpid=topnews

Company Designs law enforcement Tool
The Stamford Times, (07/10/2008), Stephanie Paulino

A new product will help law enforcement gather cell phone forensic. Developed by iCard Forensics, Trace can extract data from one of the 1,300 cell phones it is compatible with and then generate a report for use by investigators. The report can detail inbound and outbound calls, e-mail, phone location in relation to cell towers, and text and photo messaging. The unit employs write blocker to prevent damage to the cell phone and possible evidence during extraction. Trace is capable of interacting with Verizon, Sprint/Nextel, and AT&T phones. The product will be distributed to agencies on a case-by-case basis, and includes a 1-year license that will have to be renewed.
www.thestamfordtimes.com/stamford_templates/stamford_story/360418338572963.php

OnStar Can 'Catch' Stolen Vehicles
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, (07/09/2008), Jill King Greenwood

New antitheft Technology from OnStar will serve to keep citizens safe and help law enforcement end pursuits in safely. The Pennsylvania State Police received a demonstration of how the product works. Once the vehicle is reported stolen or identified by police as stolen, the OnStar dispatcher can enable the hazard lights to alert other drivers that the car is experiencing a problem and to alert law enforcement that the car is equipped with OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown Technology. The hazard lights are only visible outside the vehicle; the thief will see nothing on the console. The officers can then contact OnStar to activate the system, which will allow the driver to steer and brake, but the car will slow down regardless of how hard the driver presses the gas pedal. Once the situation is declared clear by police OnStar will reactivate the car.
www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_576648.html

New Pornography-Detection Tool Makes It Difficult for Sex Offenders and Teens to Hide Pornography
PRWeb.com, (07/10/2008)

A tool originally developed for and used by law enforcement to investigate pornography is being expanded for use by parents, schools, and businesses. SurfRecon 2008, developed by SurfRecon, Inc., is a portable, rapid-image-analysis tool that can identify pornographic material on most computers systems. The package provides law enforcement with the ability to quickly scan a computer to locate, group, report on, and delete files from the computer. The company felt the Technology is a tool that could benefit parents and business. Local, State, and Federal law enforcement and adult parole and probation officers currently use the product, which comes preinstalled on a thumb or flash drive for portability.
www.prweb.com/releases/surfrecon/tool/prweb1015174.htm