NLECTC Law Enforcement & Corrections Technology News Summary
Thursday, September 21, 2006
"Police Used High-Tech Surveillance at Festival"
Lawrence Journal-World (KS) (09/15/06); Weslander, Eric
Lawrence, Kan., police used hidden-camera, thermal-imaging, and night-vision equipment at its recent Wakarusa Festival. The Government Security News journal reports that around $250,000 worth of such equipment was employed by police at the festival, enabling them to combat some drug-dealing activity that took place. The equipment was provided by NS Microwave, which stated that it was able to cover 85 percent of the festival premises with around six cameras. The firm constructs "covert" cameras disguised as various objects, including electrical boxes and birdhouses. They are able to see at night so long as there is some means of light close by, such as fire or a lantern. Four of NS Microwave's cameras were continuously deployed during the festival, and a minimum of two others were there to be utilized as required, the company stated. The computers were managed by a computerized command center in a trailer that was set up on a hill on the middle of some property in the park. NS Microwave provided the cameras to the festival for free in exchange for being allowed to provide a demonstration of its technology.
http://www2.ljworld.com/news
/2006/sep/15/police_used_hightech
_surveillance_festival/
"Grant to Fund Fight Against Digital Crime"
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (09/17/06); Crompton, Janice
The U.S. Justice Department wants to develop a national standard for investigating and preventing electronic and digital crime, and has awarded a $500,000 grant to Waynesburg College to take a leading role in this effort. Waynesburg will be called on to review current training practices, which are uneven and sometimes nonexistent at military agencies and police departments across the country, develop national standards, and create training modules that work with computers, the Internet, PDAs, and other forms of digital media. The training program would focus on collecting and preserving digital evidence, and provide techniques for managing digital equipment and data sources. Waynesburg will also use the money to buy equipment and software for a computer forensics lab, and with data collection from government databases likely to begin in January officials hope to complete the project in a year and a half. "We're going to teach [investigators] how to handle evidence and investigations in digital form," says Richard Leipold, a professor of computer science who chairs the mathematics and computer science department. In a statement, U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.), added, "these same techniques can be helpful in detecting and tracking terrorist activity."
http://www.post-gazette.com
/pg/06260/721871-58.stm
"Auglaize County Aims for Video Arraignments by Year's End"
Lima News (OH) (09/15/06); Blake, Bob
A videoconferencing system that allows remotely located inmates to interact with judges during quick courtroom hearings will be put to use in Auglaize County, Ohio, by December. The system will utilize video cameras that will be deployed at the county's law enforcement center and in all of the county's courts. The deployment of the videoconferencing system means that inmates can interact with the courts while still in detention. The implementation of the system will not only increase courthouse security, it will free up the time of local sheriff's deputies who would normally need to physically escort the inmates to court. "What it's really for is security and manpower," explains Joe Lenhart, the county's administrator. Similar systems are in use in larger cities and counties across the nation
. http://www.limaohio.com
/story.php?IDnum=29885
"Dear Criminal: Smile for My Camera"
St. Petersburg Times (FL) (09/16/06) P. 1A; Lee, Demorris A.
Home video surveillance can provide evidence that can help law enforcement officials solve crimes. In Pinellas County, Fla., deputies from the Sheriff's Office watched tape before arresting the individual who they believe fired shots into a Clearwater home, and video also helped police in Largo arrest someone who they believe stole prescription pain pills from an apartment. "It's really very compelling when you go to trial to actually see the guy committing the crime, " says Larry McKinnon with the Tampa police. Homeowners are increasingly turning to video surveillance, which is outpacing all other segments of the electronic security market in growth, according to Joe Freeman, president and founder of the national security consultant firm J.P. Freeman. Freeman expects the video surveillance market to grow to $21 billion over the next five years, while Dallas-based digital technology researcher Park Associates projects that the number of homes with security systems will grow by almost 30 percent by 2009. Home surveillance cameras can cost anywhere from $25 to $1,000, and they are easy to use. "They have become so inexpensive that you can pick one up for 100 bucks, and the quality of the camera has been astounding," adds Sgt. Charles Degenhardt, who supervises Pinellas' burglary unit. http://sptimes.com/2006
/09/16/Tampabay/Dear_c
riminal__Smile_.shtml
"LAPD Adds 10 Cameras to Curb Skid Row Crime"
Los Angeles Times (09/15/06) P. B5; Winton, Richard
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is stepping up street patrols with a new network of surveillance cameras. With the system, the LAPD's Central Station can monitor a larger swath of the city. "We can prevent crime from occurring or we can respond directly to where crime is occurring based on what a single officer can see on monitors at the police station", says LAPD Capt. Andy Smith. The network consists of 36 cameras, with 16 in LA's core neighborhood and 10 in the fashion district. Estela Lopez, executive director of Central City East Association, says the cameras offer additional support for law enforcement. "We are finally bringing high technology to the most entrenched criminal culture in L.A. the drug supermarket that preys on our most vulnerable citizens and poses a threat to everyone in skid row, sheltered and unsheltered," Lopez says.
http://www.latimes.com
"Drug Detection Takes a Close-Up"
Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA) (09/13/06) P. B1; Ring, Kim
Police in Worcester, Mass., can now use high-powered, gyro-stabilized binoculars with night-vision capabilities to help in drug cases thanks to a grant from the Office of National Drug Policy Counter-Drug Technology Assessment Center, which funded training in use of the new equipment last month at a one-day "train the trainer" workshop on Orlando. The $7,500 device can also record images. The center last year provided the police department with funding to purchase a thermal imager. "That's the whole idea of that grant is that we can get things we wouldn't be able to afford," says Chief David Darrin, who attended the training seminar. http://www.telegram.com
/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=
/20060913/NEWS/609130517
"S.J. Considers Expanding Emergency Notification Systems"
Stockton Record (CA) (09/14/06); Kane, Greg
The San Joaquin County, Calif., Sheriff's Office employs a computer-run dialing system that warns inhabitants in the region of emergency evacuations, missing individuals, and additional crises via prerecorded phone messages. The system can dial and leave brief messages with up to 128 houses in 60 seconds, enough time to tell a substantial number of people of a coming flood, levee breach, or other hazardous situation, notes Les Garcia with the Sheriff's Office. Now, however, county authorities are investigating how to utilize this system as part of its area disaster planning. The county is especially vulnerable to emergencies because of its reliance on earthen levees and dams, says Supervisor Jack Sieglock. County Administrator Manuel Lopez and Emergency Services Director Ron Baldwin announced recently that the county is thinking about purchasing a newer version of its current system, usually referred to as Reverse 911. The plans are in the preliminary phase, and it is not known what the system will cost. Although Emergency Services has access to the Sheriff's Office's present system, Baldwin points out that its scope is restricted since it dials under 40 numbers at a time. Newer systems being launched by private firms, including Reverse 911, permit thousands of houses to be dialed within minutes, he adds.
http://www.recordnet
.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID
=/20060914/NEWS0
1/609140327&SearchID=
73257237723158
"System Addresses Communication Gap"
Fort Worth Star-Telegram (09/15/06); Okada, Bryon
Texas Director of Homeland Security Steve McCraw, along with other state and local officials, say a new system that enables law enforcement and government first responders to communicate through voice, video, and data during an emergency will address the communication gap issue among emergency response personnel. The system is located at Dallas Love Field and was purchased with a $979,100 grant from the Department of Homeland Security. It covers Dallas County and some areas in Collin County. The system features hand-held devices that let city and airport officials communicate. Emergency responders will also be able to communicate during major disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires. "If you've got a firefighter in Corpus Christi and he comes up to Dallas, he ought to be able to talk to a Dallas firefighter using his own equipment," says McCraw. State officials are hoping for a statewide system by Jan. 7.
http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/15522207.htm
"Mesa Set for Taser Upgrade"
Arizona Republic (09/14/06) P. 6; Cronin, Mike
The Mesa, Ariz., Police Department plans to equip all of the city's 543 patrol officers with the X26, a more up-to-date model of the Taser stun gun. Authorities have earmarked $514,000 to buy the guns, although the City Council must sign off on the proposal, which may occur on Sept. 18. Police Chief George Gascon states that fatalities connected to Tasers have involved an existing condition, either medical or drug-related, and could not be directly blamed on the stun gun. Gascon is revamping the department's utilization-of-force protocol to make certain police officers circumvent these kinds of situations. In 2005, Mesa paid $2.4 million to an individual whom an officer shot twice with a Taser and became a quadriplegic. Sgt. Lee White notes that each study performed on Taser safety reveals a substantial reduction in injuries to both suspects and police officials, and he stresses that the new X26 model is safer for suspects than the version currently employed by Mesa police.
http://www.azcentral.com
/community/mesa/articles/0
914mr-taser0914Z11.html
"Westboro Ramps Up New Alert Systems"
Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA) (09/14/06) P. B1; Kalkie, Rushmie
Residents in Worcester, Mass., will soon be able to receive email- and telephone-based emergency alerts from the local police department. The CitizenObserver email system, which is already used by 300 law enforcement agencies across 30 states, will go live in Worcester within the next two to three weeks. The phone-based alert system, known as Reverse 911, will be available in Worcester within three to six months. The email and telephone alerts are automatically sent to citizens in the event of an emergency situation, which could include terrorist attacks, hazardous materials spills, volatile weather, evacuations, crimes, and the presence of sex offenders. The email system will also allow citizens to send tips to police via email. A homeland security grant is helping to pay for the Reverse 911 system.
http://wt.us.publicus.com
/apps/pbcs.dll/article?
AID=/20060914/NEWS/6
09140747/1005/NEWSSEVEN06
"Sex Offender Tracking Ramps Up"
Asheville Citizen-Times (NC) (09/14/06) P. 1A; Bolton, Kerra L.
Law enforcement officials in North Carolina will start receiving electronic updates on the whereabouts of repeat sex offenders in January. The state is rolling out a GPS monitoring system that is designed to alert law enforcement officials every time the registered sex offender approaches a playground, day care center, or some other area that is off limits. Sex offenders will wear an ankle bracelet that will wirelessly communicate to a central data center, which will be overseen by the state Department of Corrections, and each county will have its own system and will devote an officer to tracking the information. The state can program the satellite monitoring technology to focus on forbidden areas of its choice, such as schools, and certain systems are able to provide an immediate alert if a sex offender has entered a restricted area. Wireless technology is a key reason why electronic monitoring systems have improved over the years, says Steve Chapin, CEO of Pro-Tech, a vendor in Florida. "The battery life has improved, partly because of the improvements to the battery and wireless technology," adds Chapin. However, some observers are expressing concern that parents may let their guard down and that law enforcement may become lax in their investigations of crimes. "Because offenders may be identified by GPS as being near a crime scene, it is likely that law enforcement will have tunnel vision and will focus their investigation solely on a former offender even if that person did not commit the crime," says a briefing statement provided by the state chapter of the ACLU to state lawmakers.
http://www.citizen-times.com
/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=
/20060914/NEWS01/60913096/1119
"Gadget Helps Police Identify Stolen Cars"
East Valley Tribune (Mesa, AZ) (09/13/06); McDevitt, Katie
The City of Tempe, Ariz., bought two mobile license-plate scanning devices to automatically locate stolen cars and license plates. "The license plate reader program has to be able to differentiate that the cactus on the Arizona plates or a wheelchair isn't a number," says Tempe Sgt. Joe Brosius. "They have to program all these things into the computer to make sure the computer understands how to read a plate in Arizona." The gadgets can scan 8,000 to 10,000 vehicles per shift and identify plates from as far away as four traffic lanes. Each device costs $26,000 and they were purchased by a grant from the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority and money from the state. Every device features a camera that sits on top of a patrol car and a computer that goes inside the car. Brosius insists the devices will only be used to search for stolen vehicles, not locate individuals with warrants or suspended licenses. The system is expected to be in place by the end of the month.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com
/index.php?sty=73928
"GPS Ankle Bracelets Cut Costs, Jail Crowding In Hillsborough"
Tampa Tribune (09/13/06) P. 1; McCartney, Anthony
In Hillsborough County, Fla., suspects ordered by courts to wear GPS ankle bracelets are less likely to try to escape compared to those who are arrested and post bail, according to prison officials. More than 900 people in the county this year have been wearing the bracelets, of whom only 28 have attempted to flee the system, with just five now at-large. Sheriff's Col. David Parrish says the ankle bracelets have reduced jail congestion and allow those who cannot afford the bail to return home. He noted that during the month of August, 10 percent of almost 7,000 people out on bail failed to attend court appearances, compared to just 3 percent of those wearing GPS bracelets. The county rents the bracelets for roughly $8 daily, which is much lower than the more than $65 per day it costs to accommodate an inmate at one of the county's two jails. Prison officials are permitted to release offenders with ankle bracelets if they have not posted bail within 48 hours and their bails are set at $5,000 or less; judges more commonly order GPS monitoring for inmates and set strict conditions. However, although officials know the whereabouts of offenders equipped with the bracelets, the GPS technology does not prevent them from committing additional crimes. Re-offenders under GPS monitoring must remain in jail without bail.
http://www.tbo.com
/news/nationworld/MGBGS8551SE.html
"NYC Orders $500 Million Emergency Data Network"
Reuters (09/12/06); Parsons, Claudia
In the latest example of the entrance of big defense contractors into the lucrative civilian security market, Northrop Grumman has been awarded a five-year, $500 million contract by New York City to build and maintain a high-speed wireless data network for emergency service, a direct result of the lessons of 9/11. The network is expected to be operable in Lower Manhattan by the start of the next year and across the city by early 2008. Last August, Lockheed Martin signed a $212 million contract with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority to develop an electronic security system composed of video cameras and motion detectors for city bridges, tunnels, and subway stations. New York is also considering the use of subway ticket machines made by GE and Cubic Corp. for the detection of traces of explosives.
http://today.reuters.com
/news/articlenews.aspx?t
ype=domesticNews&story
ID=2006-09-12T213419_
z01_N12328310_RTRUK
OC_0_US-DEFENSE-NORTHROP.xml&archived=False
"Jail Security Plans Put on Fast Track"
Toledo Blade (OH) (09/13/06) P. B1; Blake, Erica
In the wake of an escape by an inmate, officials in Lucas County, Ohio, are accelerating an initiative to set up a new camera security system at the county jail. County commissioners have allowed the sheriff's office to discuss a contract with an architectural firm to draw up plans. A proposal from consulting engineering firm DLZ is expected to be submitted to the county in approximately 10 days, costing between $500,000 and $750,000. The inmate escaped Aug. 21 by using a set of keys left unattended by corrections officers. "Even though we had human error, we'd have another line of defense with a better [camera] system in place," said Jail Administrator Jim O'Neal. Additional improvements to the jail include a $190,000 video visitation system that was installed in August that eliminates the need for visitors to access jail cell floors, making it more difficult to pass smuggled goods to inmates, said O'Neal. For the future, he hopes to expand arraignments via video, acquire control booths, and redesign jail entrances to improve screening of all those entering the jail
. http://toledoblade.com
/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID
=/20060913/NEWS03/609130380/-1/NEWS
"Perception vs. Reality: What Are the Issues?"
Sheriff (08/06) Vol. 58, No. 4, P. 47; Ogden, David A.; Ford, Dan
Sensational news reports, special-interest groups' rhetoric, and mistaken information can create an unrealistically negative public perception of the use of electronic control weapons (ECW) such as the Taser, write Orange County, Fla., Sheriff's Office Capt. David A. Ogden and Division Chief Dan Ford. Law enforcement agencies must respond with immediate attention, education, and communication in order to prevent the public-relations problem from escalating. Among the questions to address are what is the appropriate level of force, whether the standard of resistance should be "passive" or "active," and whether the agency has a policy in place and is training according to it. The people to involve in ECW education efforts can include city and county councils, political leaders, religious and other community leaders, the media, the general public, and--most importantly--the agency's law enforcement officers. Policies should be carefully written to fit the community, and the agencies should use internal and external training as well as meetings with the media and the community. Explanations of how ECWs work, how officers are trained, and the statistical data on ECWs' reduction of injuries and deadly force are among the matters to be communicated. The Orange County Sheriff's Office addressed the ECW public perception problem by creating a 12-member Taser Task Force Committee consisting of agency leaders as well as community representatives, with the community representatives making up the majority of the task force. The task force's recommendations for communicating with the community and improving policies and training have helped boost community understanding and support for the use of ECWs.
http://www.sheriffs.org
"Podcasting for Police Departments"
Police and Security News (08/06) Vol. 22, No. 4, P. 41; Kanable, Rebecca
The Franklin, Mass. Police Department has joined the NYPD in using podcasts to communicate with the communities they serve. Franklin PD's podcasts are hosted by Patrolman Brian Johnson, a 14-year veteran of law enforcement who thought the medium would provide a low-cost way for the department to show people that it does more than write tickets. The six episodes of the podcasts, which is entitled "Franklin's Finest," have highlighted the department's canine program, the tactical team, community service programs, and more. "They don't necessarily always see it, but our agency is more," Johnson said. "We have to highlight ourselves; we have to speak for ourselves. Towns aren't just saying, 'Here's more money.' We have to justify ourselves which is kind of new to agencies." In addition, podcasts can give the department another way to communicate directly with the public in the event of an emergency, though the department has not had an emergency warranting a podcast since it began using the medium last December. So far, each of the Franklin PD's podcasts have been downloaded several hundred times on average, although the department has no ways of knowing how many people are actually listening to the programs. However, feedback has been very good, and citizens have e-mailed the department asking for more and suggesting topics. "We'd love to increase the frequency, and we'd love to get more feedback from people as to what they'd like to hear," Johnson said.
http://www.policeandsecuritynews.com
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Police-Writers.com reaches 400 books
September 16, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com, a website dedicated to police officers turned authors, added four police officers; Michael D. Lyman, Daniel J. Shanahan, Mike Disanza and Keith Bettinger. With the addition of these police officers, the total number of books listed on the website that were written by state or local police officers has reached 400.
Michael D. Lyman, Ph.D., began his career as a special agent and criminal investigator for the Kansas Bureau of investigation. He then moved to the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs as a senior agent and criminal investigator. While with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs he was assigned to the Street Enforcement and Intelligence Division. During his 11 year law enforcement career Michael has made over 600 felony arrest. For the last 18 years he has been professor of Criminal Justice at the Columbia College of Missouri.
Michael D. Lyman, Ph.D., has authored seven books about the enforcement function in criminal justice. His books include: “The Police: An Introduction,” “Criminal Investigation: The Art and science,” Practical Drug Enforcement” and “Organized Crime.”
Daniel J. Shanahan’s book “Badges, Bullets and Bars” tells the story of his career on the Baltimore Police Department. The book is billed as a “first hand account of police loyalty and disloyalty.” Moreover, according to Shanahan he wrote the book, “for all the excellent Law Enforcement officers who shortened their careers by crossing the thin blue line and venturing into the wrong territory; sometimes into criminal territory. Therefore permanently tarnishing their badge, reputation, family, and all the good that badge stands for. This book is for the police officers that could not find their way back, wanted to make a difference, and unfortunately, could have.”
Mike Disanza's biography, “A Cop for Christ,” tells of growing up in the 1950s and seeing the New York Police Department as a way of leaving his poverty stricken neighborhood. The reader is taken on a journey that examines Mike’s 22 years on the job and the circumstances that led to his Christian Ministry. Currently, Mike is the president of International Cops for Christ, an organization which has been serving the needs of police officers world-wide for 25 years.
Keith Bettinger is a retired police officer who served with the Suffolk County Police Department in Yaphank, New York from 1972-1994. His book, “Fighting Crime With "Some" Day and Lenny: Or What Happens When Dragnet Meets Car 54 Where Are You?” follows the adventures of the fictional characters Detective Lenny Birnbaum and his boss, Sergeant Robert “Some” Day, as they fight the evil-doers in that hotbed of crime, Staten Island, New York.
Police-Writers.com lists 130 police officers turned writers and their 400 books in six categories.
Michael D. Lyman, Ph.D., began his career as a special agent and criminal investigator for the Kansas Bureau of investigation. He then moved to the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs as a senior agent and criminal investigator. While with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs he was assigned to the Street Enforcement and Intelligence Division. During his 11 year law enforcement career Michael has made over 600 felony arrest. For the last 18 years he has been professor of Criminal Justice at the Columbia College of Missouri.
Michael D. Lyman, Ph.D., has authored seven books about the enforcement function in criminal justice. His books include: “The Police: An Introduction,” “Criminal Investigation: The Art and science,” Practical Drug Enforcement” and “Organized Crime.”
Daniel J. Shanahan’s book “Badges, Bullets and Bars” tells the story of his career on the Baltimore Police Department. The book is billed as a “first hand account of police loyalty and disloyalty.” Moreover, according to Shanahan he wrote the book, “for all the excellent Law Enforcement officers who shortened their careers by crossing the thin blue line and venturing into the wrong territory; sometimes into criminal territory. Therefore permanently tarnishing their badge, reputation, family, and all the good that badge stands for. This book is for the police officers that could not find their way back, wanted to make a difference, and unfortunately, could have.”
Mike Disanza's biography, “A Cop for Christ,” tells of growing up in the 1950s and seeing the New York Police Department as a way of leaving his poverty stricken neighborhood. The reader is taken on a journey that examines Mike’s 22 years on the job and the circumstances that led to his Christian Ministry. Currently, Mike is the president of International Cops for Christ, an organization which has been serving the needs of police officers world-wide for 25 years.
Keith Bettinger is a retired police officer who served with the Suffolk County Police Department in Yaphank, New York from 1972-1994. His book, “Fighting Crime With "Some" Day and Lenny: Or What Happens When Dragnet Meets Car 54 Where Are You?” follows the adventures of the fictional characters Detective Lenny Birnbaum and his boss, Sergeant Robert “Some” Day, as they fight the evil-doers in that hotbed of crime, Staten Island, New York.
Police-Writers.com lists 130 police officers turned writers and their 400 books in six categories.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
NLECTC Law Enforcement & Corrections Technology News Summary September 14, 2006
"Terror War Requires New High-Tech Tools"
Tallahassee Democrat (FL) (09/11/06); Velazquez, Daniela
The Tallahassee Police Department is using a variety of technologies to fight crime and prepare for potential emergencies. Many of the purchases, including biohazard suits for all law-enforcement personnel in Florida, were made possible through close to $974 million in federal homeland-security funds received following Sept. 11. The state has formed seven domestic-security task forces that cover seven geographic locations. Committees created in the state after the terrorist attacks also focus on security-related issues. The influx of funding has resulted in increased collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the sharing of some equipment, such as robots used when packages pose a potential bomb risk. Tallahassee Fire Department Chief John Gatlin added that the city's fire department has benefited from the fund allocation. The Tallahassee Police Department has used $75,000 to acquire six infrared scopes for attachment to sniper rifles, plus enough night-vision goggles to outfit fifteen police officers. The department's other uses of the funds include the purchase of two truck and trailer sets designed for emergency scenarios involving use of weapons of mass destruction.
http://www.tallahassee.com
/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060911/NEWS01
/609110344&SearchID=73256635238273
"NY Police Study Terror Threat by Secretly Detonating Own Truck Bomb"
Associated Press (09/13/06); Hays, Tom
The New York Police Department's head of counterterrorism, Richard Falkenrath, discussed before Senate lawmakers this week a project undertaken by the police department to create a bomb from chemicals provided by city-based suppliers. Police investigators were able to create a 2,400 pound truck bomb by purchasing chemicals from suppliers. The bomb cost $7,000 to make. The investigators used 1,000 pounds of fertilizer purchased from several agricultural supply locations, including one in Pennsylvania, to make the bomb. However, the New York seller did notify police about the purchase because of doubts about the buyers' intentions. The investigators pretended to be apple growers during the transactions. Falkenrath said the project illustrated that more regulations are needed to control chemical purchases in the country. He particularly noted that lawmakers should pass tight regulations to control the sale of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, which was used for making the bomb that destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in 1995. Falkenrath expressed frustration that tighter regulations have not been passed to control the sale of ammonium nitrate, despite the Oklahoma City bombing occurring more than a decade ago.
http://www.ftimes.com
/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSection
ID=1&ArticleID=36312&TM=31549.8
"Tracking Crime Gun By Tracking Ammo"
Monterey County Herald (CA) (09/11/06); Sanchez, George B.
California legislators want to use microstamping technology to track handguns, despite opposition from critics who argue that the technology is expensive and not effective. Last February, Assemblyman Paul Koretz (D-West Hollywood) proposed a bill that would have required every handgun in California to have microstamping technology installed by 2009, but that bill did not pass. The technology would have etched the gun's serial number on the firing pin, which would enable law enforcement to track the serial number to the owner of the gun. Pacific Grove Police Chief Carl Miller, who supported the bill along with more than 40 California police chiefs, says the technology is needed because it is easier to trace cars than guns. Handgun sales are somewhat lax since there are no specific guidelines other than conducting a background check to prevent convicted felons from making a purchase. Opponents of the bill argued that the company that created the microstamping technology would unfairly benefit from the copyrighted technology, but the company shot back by saying they would give the technology out for free. Supporters say the technology was designed to track illegal firearms and would greatly benefit law enforcement. "Analyze it intellectually, we're not talking about criminal masterminds, and you're not going to stop the random, instantaneous act of crime, but you can track and stop the flow of firearms to those people," says Todd Lizotte, one of the microstamping inventors.
http://www.montereyherald.com
/mld/montereyherald/15490696.htm
"Center Talk of Town"
Aberdeen American News (SD) (09/08/06); Waltman, Scott
Brown County Deputy Director of Communications John McQuillen says the county's new computer-enabled dispatch center helps sheriff's department deputies, police officers, and firefighters share and transmit information about calls by using maps and screens rather than relying on the radio. The Brown County Communications Center has a feature called Automatic Vehicle Locator, which can track vehicles on computer screens. The communications center was previously an independent agency, but that changed when McQuillen took over and it became a part of the sheriff's department. McQuillen has been praised by Brown County Commission Chairwoman Deb Knecht for his communication skills and for spending time at the police, sheriff's, and fire department to properly learn how to use the dispatch equipment. Aberdeen Fire and Rescue Chief Bill Winter says such tracking capabilities are also beneficial to firefighters who may have to follow an ambulance in the middle of a winter storm. The dispatch center currently has 13 full-time and one part-time dispatchers. McQuillen says he plans to improve the tracking of Internet-based phone calls from companies such as Vonage.
http://www.aberdeennews.com
/mld/aberdeennews/news/local/15468195.htm
"Anti-Crime Proposals Add Police, Cameras"
Birmingham News (AL) (09/06/06) Vol. 119, No. 177, P. 1A; Bryant, Joseph D.
Birmingham, Ala., Mayor Bernard Kincaid and police Chief Annette Nunn have called for improving security in the city by installing surveillance cameras in high-crime areas, transferring 12 officers from schools to the communities, and boosting recruitment with a $2,000 signing bonus. The City Council president and the police union have both criticized the 18-point plan, respectively complaining that it lacks substance and comes as too little, too late. "I thought it would be more in-depth because we had been asking for substance for months now," said council President Carole Smitherman. "But with the overall package, it seems to be financially weighty. I support the concept of what Police Chief Nunn is advancing, but I need to know the bottom-line numbers." The cameras would aid as a deterrent to prostitution and other crimes, Nunn claimed, while adding a second officer to some patrols would give supervisors more flexibility in beefing up police presence in high-crime areas. After the presentation, the council voted in favor of adding Tasers with audio and video capabilities, redirecting federal money to fund the equipment and associated training expenses. Nunn realizes that the installation of surveillance cameras is a sensitive issue that for some raises troubling privacy concerns, but she believes the beneficial effect on crime would be worth it.
http://www.al.com
/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?
/base/news/1157534795221710.xml&coll=2
"Feds Working to Connect Fingerprint Databases"
Associated Press (09/07/06); Caterinicchia, Dan
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed a number of modifications to the fingerprints databases it relies on to search for suspect matches. The improvements will allow the systems to store 10 fingerprints, compared to two currently. The first phase of improvements focuses on providing state and local law enforcement officials access to immigration history via inputting just one biometric submission into the system. The system will send an automatic alert when a match is made with a immigration violator. The system will provide State Department consular officers and DHS agents with more information related to FBI warrants. The second part of the project focuses on expanding information sharing between the DHS and the Department of Justice.
http://www.ap.org
"Communication Breakdown: Radio Mismatches Make Talking Tough Between Police Officers"
Burlington Times-News (NC) (09/10/06)
When a fugitive being chased by sheriff's deputies from Alamance County, N.C., fled into another county, Alamance County deputies had to call in surrounding law enforcement for help. Though they did catch the suspect who had fired an AK-47 at sheriff's deputies, they also learned that regional country radio systems used different frequencies, making communication difficult. Some N.C. regional police departments use older radio technology, while others use high-band frequencies such as 800-MHz frequency. The 9/11 Commission Report found that "the inability to communicate" was a critical element of the law enforcement experience on Sept. 11, 2001, involving first responders from the World Trade Center to Pennsylvania to the Pentagon. Upgrading to 800-MHz frequency will cost the town of Elon, N.C., $140,000 over a five-year period. Burlington, N.C., in 2004 switched its police and fire departments to 800-MHz at the cost of $4 million. The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security has grants to help local agencies upgrade communications. If one locality or town begins to upgrade, while nearby localities do not, this too can create breakage points in regional law enforcement communication.
http://www.thetimesnews.com
"Up to Speed, and Then Some"
Washington Post (09/07/06) P. T1; Miroff, Nick
Sgt. Greg Breeden of Haymarket, Va., recently began patrolling in a muscle car: A 2006 Dodge Charger with 18-inch wheels, a 340-horsepower engine, and a zero-to-60 speed of 5.9 seconds. Breeden notes that mechanical bronco on four wheels is "to keep up with the hot rods out there." The idea is part of a trend in Virginia where the State Police have 15 Dodge Chargers already and plan to purchase 20 more. Virginia police have used Crown Victorias by Ford in the past, but officials say the 2006 Dodger Charger costs $1,000 less and so is more attractive, plus it has a robust 5.7-liter Hemi engine. Dumfries, Va. Police Chief Calvin Johnson says his department purchased it because of the cost savings alone, not the horsepower. Sgt. Breeden of Haymarket says his team spends more time on speeding tickets than crime because of the low crime in the area.
http://www.washingtonpost.com
/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/30
/AR2006083000174.html
"County to Participate in Alert System"
State Journal-Register (IL) (09/06/06) P. 11; Bolinski, Jayette
The Sangamon County, Il., Sheriff's Office could begin sending recorded alerts to local residents regarding people reported missing. The system will employ mapping technology and automated phone messages to inform residents about missing children. However, the "A Child is Missing" program will also be used to tell residents about missing adults, such as people with Alzheimer's. The system can provide police with a critical tool for quickly locating missing children, given that 75 percent of youngsters found dead are killed within three hours of their abduction. The system allows police officers to send alerts to people within the vicinity of the disappearance by calling the hotline used by the program. Government grants and private donations pay the cost of the program.
http://www.sj-r.com/sections
/news/stories/95195.asp
"Machines Are Hard to Fool: Scanners Can Spot Fake ID"
Omaha World-Herald (NE) (09/07/06) P. B1; Winter, Abe
Nebraska is testing an ID verification system that one day could help merchants screen IDs for alcohol and cigarettes by verifying an ID's watermark. Tampering with a state ID destroys its watermark. Anderson Food Shops President Ray Anderson oversees 14 BP gas stations in Omaha, Neb., and says merchants want an easy-to-use verification system and would be willing to pay for it. They would help "defuse the issues our industry has experienced when encountering compliance checks by law enforcement," says Anderson. The machines will need to wait until Nebraska law is revised before being sold, because current Nebraska law only allows state law enforcement and Dept. of Motor Vehicle officials to scan information from a driver's license. In fact, some State Patrols in Nebraska are using the system to scan in driver's license information when issuing citations, which cuts down on data entry by officers and clerks. The state is interested in rolling the scanners out, yet wants to minimize the amount of personal information exposed in the process. Hence, the state is focusing on scans of watermarks.
http://www.omaha.com
"Konop Backs Use of Hybrid Vehicles"
Toledo Blade (OH) (09/06/06) P. B1; Blake, Erica
Ben Konop, who is campaigning to become the next commissioner of Ohio's Lucas County, has proposed transitioning the county's fleet of vehicles to include hybrids within 2010. Under the proposal, hybrids will account for one-third of fleet vehicles. The plan will not effect some county-owned vehicles, such as sheriff's cruisers. Konop cited the county's annual fuel cost, which exceeds $1 million, as one reason for the change. He estimates that including hybrids among the county's fleet of vehicles could lower annual fuel costs by several hundreds of thousands of dollars. Konop added that the county could recoup its investment in just three years, if gas prices exceed $3 per gallon.
http://www.toledoblade.com
/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060906/NEWS09/
609060401&SearchID=73256650019158
"BART Wants to Hire Anti-Terrorism Chief"
San Francisco Chronicle (09/11/06) P. B2; Bulwa, Demian
The San Francisco Bay Area's BART transit system is seeking to hire an anti-terrorism chief for coordinating its strategy for heading off terrorist attacks and to secure grants from the state and federal governments. In a question-and-answer session at a briefing about the agency's plans for the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, BART Director James Fang described the position as being in charge of coordinating the BART system's effort to prevent terrorist events and to respond if such an attack does take place. The terrorism chief would also develop relationships with the FBI and other counterterrorism agencies, as well as overseeing the agency's applications for grants from the federal Department of Homeland Security and other entities. In August, $2.9 million worth of homeland security funds were released by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for Transbay Tube security improvements, but BART officials believe they have not been given a fair share of these sorts of grants overall. They argue that the rail system is vital to the Bay Area and that terrorists have targeted mass transit already.
http://www.sfgate.com
/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a
/2006/09/11/BAG62L37GQ1.DTL
"Despite Millions Spent, Boston Is Vulnerable"
Boston Globe (09/11/06) P. A1; Kurkjian, Stephen; Cullen, Kevin; Farragher, Thomas
Five years after the 9/11 attacks and despite millions of dollars already spent, Boston remains vulnerable to terrorist attacks. Security experts have long been emphasizing the attractiveness of seaports as terrorist targets, but Boston Harbor's sensitive areas are still clearly vulnerable, as officials are still working to secure the money needed to buy a 7,000-foot-long movable barrier that could seal off parts of the harbor in an emergency. Boston officials have also not yet completed a seamless emergency communication network for responders to a potential mass-transit attack, and Logan Airport, where hijacked flights on 9/11 originated, still has vulnerabilities in areas such as air cargo. Law enforcement officials generally say they now have a better ability to gather and analyze raw terrorist-related intelligence and that police agencies have become forced to cooperate. However, they are much less confident that they would be able to detect in time the kind of threat they see as most likely. This would be an assault to the "soft" targets easily available in open societies, such as schools and hotels and shopping malls, as well as Plymouth's nuclear power plant, where the pool for spent fuel rods has not been fortified against potential attacks. Though a test of Boston's evacuation abilities went well, this was undercut by the fact that the other eight communities in the Boston evacuation plan were not included in the test. In addition, spending the $230 million in federal antiterrorism funds that Massachusetts has received has been held up by squabbles among cities and towns, as well as problems with major purchases such as more than 1,000 Motorola emergency phones.
http://www.boston.com
/news/local/massachusetts/articles
/2006/09/10/despite_millions_spent_
boston_is_vulnerable/
"When a Stranger Calls, Beware of the Pretext"
Washington Post (09/09/06) P. D1; Ahrens, Frank
Hewlett-Packard's (HP) recent internal investigation of company leaks to the media involved the hiring of a private contractor who misrepresented himself to HP officials and their personal phone companies in search of information as well as phone-logs of their calling activity. Dubbed "pretexting" by the media, the HP-hired private investigator claimed to individual HP board members that he was another board member in order to get the information, and also may have impersonated these members to U.S. phone companies to obtain their phone-calling records. Pretexting also is being used by data companies to amass and sell information on consumers, and could be used by criminals seeking financial and password information, such as asking someone for their bank's name, and the name of their pet. The 1999 Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act makes it illegal to use pretexting to obtain financial information from American citizens. However, pretexting for non-financial information is a legal gray area today. Recently, a phone log of 100 cell phone calls made by General Wesley Clark was sold online for $89.95. This incident caught the attention of Congress, which is drafting additional legislation on pretexting.
http://www.washingtonpost.com
/wp-dyn/content/article/2006
/09/08/AR2006090801856.html
"Creating the Super "Detective""
Law Enforcement Technology (08/06) Vol. 33, No. 8, P. 50; Heinecke, Jeannine
The New York City Police Department's (NYPD) Real Time Crime Center, launched in July 2005, allows criminal investigations to be conducted faster. To this end, it was necessary to harmonize isolated blocks of data so information could be electronically accessible and easy to use. A crime data warehouse was created by IBM Global Services based on incorporating common format data from complaints, arrests, 911, and other systems. The current crime center can now access millions of files from city and state criminal databases, 911 call records, parole and probation files, and public records and national crime records. The NYPD has also equipped eight vans with secure wireless access to the crime center's portal and other communication devices so detectives can access needed data; the vans are used by seven homicide squads and one major case squad. Investigators can access historical location data to determine, for example, if there has been a high number of drug arrests in a particular area, if a sexual predator lives in a certain area, and the location of a frequent 911 caller. One of the most important aspects of crime pattern assessments is Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, which allows detectives to look at data from a certain geographic viewpoint, such as crimes near schools or train lines. The center is also enhancing cross-jurisdictional searches by being able to conduct more detailed searches using small bits of data such as outstanding telephone bills.
http://www.officer.com/magazines/let/
"Less-Lethal Options for Off-Duty Carry"
Police (08/06) Vol. 30, No. 8, P. 80; Kasanof, Adam
Adam Kasanof, a retired New York Police Department lieutenant, explores the different types of less-lethal weapons that police officers can carry when off-duty and the issues concerning their use. He notes that agency rules and local laws vary on the use of lethal force by officers and the carrying of less-lethal options. However, he emphasizes that officers will not be punished for using lethal force even while carrying less-lethal tools, if their actions are acceptable under agency rules. Kasanof writes that oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray can provide officers with an opportunity to get distance from an assailant, but notes that the substance is harmful to pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and those with asthma or other breathing problems. Flashlights can provide officers with both illumination of dark areas and a defensive weapon that can be used for applying Kubotan-type techniques, including wristlocks. Kasanof recommends that police officers consider carrying two variants of flashlights: A very small light with strong illumination and one a little larger that can be stored in a hip pocket. Kasanof also recommends the Kubotan and similar products based on the same design, but adds that officers should become familiar with its use through training. Heavier options include carrying expandable batons, but Kasanof warns against striking the assailant's head because of the potential of lethal injury, unless required. A portable radio is also a valuable tool for calling for medical help or backup when police officers face an emergency, but officers need to ensure that the radio can work with the communications systems employed by their agency.
http://www.policemag.com
Tallahassee Democrat (FL) (09/11/06); Velazquez, Daniela
The Tallahassee Police Department is using a variety of technologies to fight crime and prepare for potential emergencies. Many of the purchases, including biohazard suits for all law-enforcement personnel in Florida, were made possible through close to $974 million in federal homeland-security funds received following Sept. 11. The state has formed seven domestic-security task forces that cover seven geographic locations. Committees created in the state after the terrorist attacks also focus on security-related issues. The influx of funding has resulted in increased collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the sharing of some equipment, such as robots used when packages pose a potential bomb risk. Tallahassee Fire Department Chief John Gatlin added that the city's fire department has benefited from the fund allocation. The Tallahassee Police Department has used $75,000 to acquire six infrared scopes for attachment to sniper rifles, plus enough night-vision goggles to outfit fifteen police officers. The department's other uses of the funds include the purchase of two truck and trailer sets designed for emergency scenarios involving use of weapons of mass destruction.
http://www.tallahassee.com
/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060911/NEWS01
/609110344&SearchID=73256635238273
"NY Police Study Terror Threat by Secretly Detonating Own Truck Bomb"
Associated Press (09/13/06); Hays, Tom
The New York Police Department's head of counterterrorism, Richard Falkenrath, discussed before Senate lawmakers this week a project undertaken by the police department to create a bomb from chemicals provided by city-based suppliers. Police investigators were able to create a 2,400 pound truck bomb by purchasing chemicals from suppliers. The bomb cost $7,000 to make. The investigators used 1,000 pounds of fertilizer purchased from several agricultural supply locations, including one in Pennsylvania, to make the bomb. However, the New York seller did notify police about the purchase because of doubts about the buyers' intentions. The investigators pretended to be apple growers during the transactions. Falkenrath said the project illustrated that more regulations are needed to control chemical purchases in the country. He particularly noted that lawmakers should pass tight regulations to control the sale of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, which was used for making the bomb that destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in 1995. Falkenrath expressed frustration that tighter regulations have not been passed to control the sale of ammonium nitrate, despite the Oklahoma City bombing occurring more than a decade ago.
http://www.ftimes.com
/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSection
ID=1&ArticleID=36312&TM=31549.8
"Tracking Crime Gun By Tracking Ammo"
Monterey County Herald (CA) (09/11/06); Sanchez, George B.
California legislators want to use microstamping technology to track handguns, despite opposition from critics who argue that the technology is expensive and not effective. Last February, Assemblyman Paul Koretz (D-West Hollywood) proposed a bill that would have required every handgun in California to have microstamping technology installed by 2009, but that bill did not pass. The technology would have etched the gun's serial number on the firing pin, which would enable law enforcement to track the serial number to the owner of the gun. Pacific Grove Police Chief Carl Miller, who supported the bill along with more than 40 California police chiefs, says the technology is needed because it is easier to trace cars than guns. Handgun sales are somewhat lax since there are no specific guidelines other than conducting a background check to prevent convicted felons from making a purchase. Opponents of the bill argued that the company that created the microstamping technology would unfairly benefit from the copyrighted technology, but the company shot back by saying they would give the technology out for free. Supporters say the technology was designed to track illegal firearms and would greatly benefit law enforcement. "Analyze it intellectually, we're not talking about criminal masterminds, and you're not going to stop the random, instantaneous act of crime, but you can track and stop the flow of firearms to those people," says Todd Lizotte, one of the microstamping inventors.
http://www.montereyherald.com
/mld/montereyherald/15490696.htm
"Center Talk of Town"
Aberdeen American News (SD) (09/08/06); Waltman, Scott
Brown County Deputy Director of Communications John McQuillen says the county's new computer-enabled dispatch center helps sheriff's department deputies, police officers, and firefighters share and transmit information about calls by using maps and screens rather than relying on the radio. The Brown County Communications Center has a feature called Automatic Vehicle Locator, which can track vehicles on computer screens. The communications center was previously an independent agency, but that changed when McQuillen took over and it became a part of the sheriff's department. McQuillen has been praised by Brown County Commission Chairwoman Deb Knecht for his communication skills and for spending time at the police, sheriff's, and fire department to properly learn how to use the dispatch equipment. Aberdeen Fire and Rescue Chief Bill Winter says such tracking capabilities are also beneficial to firefighters who may have to follow an ambulance in the middle of a winter storm. The dispatch center currently has 13 full-time and one part-time dispatchers. McQuillen says he plans to improve the tracking of Internet-based phone calls from companies such as Vonage.
http://www.aberdeennews.com
/mld/aberdeennews/news/local/15468195.htm
"Anti-Crime Proposals Add Police, Cameras"
Birmingham News (AL) (09/06/06) Vol. 119, No. 177, P. 1A; Bryant, Joseph D.
Birmingham, Ala., Mayor Bernard Kincaid and police Chief Annette Nunn have called for improving security in the city by installing surveillance cameras in high-crime areas, transferring 12 officers from schools to the communities, and boosting recruitment with a $2,000 signing bonus. The City Council president and the police union have both criticized the 18-point plan, respectively complaining that it lacks substance and comes as too little, too late. "I thought it would be more in-depth because we had been asking for substance for months now," said council President Carole Smitherman. "But with the overall package, it seems to be financially weighty. I support the concept of what Police Chief Nunn is advancing, but I need to know the bottom-line numbers." The cameras would aid as a deterrent to prostitution and other crimes, Nunn claimed, while adding a second officer to some patrols would give supervisors more flexibility in beefing up police presence in high-crime areas. After the presentation, the council voted in favor of adding Tasers with audio and video capabilities, redirecting federal money to fund the equipment and associated training expenses. Nunn realizes that the installation of surveillance cameras is a sensitive issue that for some raises troubling privacy concerns, but she believes the beneficial effect on crime would be worth it.
http://www.al.com
/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?
/base/news/1157534795221710.xml&coll=2
"Feds Working to Connect Fingerprint Databases"
Associated Press (09/07/06); Caterinicchia, Dan
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed a number of modifications to the fingerprints databases it relies on to search for suspect matches. The improvements will allow the systems to store 10 fingerprints, compared to two currently. The first phase of improvements focuses on providing state and local law enforcement officials access to immigration history via inputting just one biometric submission into the system. The system will send an automatic alert when a match is made with a immigration violator. The system will provide State Department consular officers and DHS agents with more information related to FBI warrants. The second part of the project focuses on expanding information sharing between the DHS and the Department of Justice.
http://www.ap.org
"Communication Breakdown: Radio Mismatches Make Talking Tough Between Police Officers"
Burlington Times-News (NC) (09/10/06)
When a fugitive being chased by sheriff's deputies from Alamance County, N.C., fled into another county, Alamance County deputies had to call in surrounding law enforcement for help. Though they did catch the suspect who had fired an AK-47 at sheriff's deputies, they also learned that regional country radio systems used different frequencies, making communication difficult. Some N.C. regional police departments use older radio technology, while others use high-band frequencies such as 800-MHz frequency. The 9/11 Commission Report found that "the inability to communicate" was a critical element of the law enforcement experience on Sept. 11, 2001, involving first responders from the World Trade Center to Pennsylvania to the Pentagon. Upgrading to 800-MHz frequency will cost the town of Elon, N.C., $140,000 over a five-year period. Burlington, N.C., in 2004 switched its police and fire departments to 800-MHz at the cost of $4 million. The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security has grants to help local agencies upgrade communications. If one locality or town begins to upgrade, while nearby localities do not, this too can create breakage points in regional law enforcement communication.
http://www.thetimesnews.com
"Up to Speed, and Then Some"
Washington Post (09/07/06) P. T1; Miroff, Nick
Sgt. Greg Breeden of Haymarket, Va., recently began patrolling in a muscle car: A 2006 Dodge Charger with 18-inch wheels, a 340-horsepower engine, and a zero-to-60 speed of 5.9 seconds. Breeden notes that mechanical bronco on four wheels is "to keep up with the hot rods out there." The idea is part of a trend in Virginia where the State Police have 15 Dodge Chargers already and plan to purchase 20 more. Virginia police have used Crown Victorias by Ford in the past, but officials say the 2006 Dodger Charger costs $1,000 less and so is more attractive, plus it has a robust 5.7-liter Hemi engine. Dumfries, Va. Police Chief Calvin Johnson says his department purchased it because of the cost savings alone, not the horsepower. Sgt. Breeden of Haymarket says his team spends more time on speeding tickets than crime because of the low crime in the area.
http://www.washingtonpost.com
/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/30
/AR2006083000174.html
"County to Participate in Alert System"
State Journal-Register (IL) (09/06/06) P. 11; Bolinski, Jayette
The Sangamon County, Il., Sheriff's Office could begin sending recorded alerts to local residents regarding people reported missing. The system will employ mapping technology and automated phone messages to inform residents about missing children. However, the "A Child is Missing" program will also be used to tell residents about missing adults, such as people with Alzheimer's. The system can provide police with a critical tool for quickly locating missing children, given that 75 percent of youngsters found dead are killed within three hours of their abduction. The system allows police officers to send alerts to people within the vicinity of the disappearance by calling the hotline used by the program. Government grants and private donations pay the cost of the program.
http://www.sj-r.com/sections
/news/stories/95195.asp
"Machines Are Hard to Fool: Scanners Can Spot Fake ID"
Omaha World-Herald (NE) (09/07/06) P. B1; Winter, Abe
Nebraska is testing an ID verification system that one day could help merchants screen IDs for alcohol and cigarettes by verifying an ID's watermark. Tampering with a state ID destroys its watermark. Anderson Food Shops President Ray Anderson oversees 14 BP gas stations in Omaha, Neb., and says merchants want an easy-to-use verification system and would be willing to pay for it. They would help "defuse the issues our industry has experienced when encountering compliance checks by law enforcement," says Anderson. The machines will need to wait until Nebraska law is revised before being sold, because current Nebraska law only allows state law enforcement and Dept. of Motor Vehicle officials to scan information from a driver's license. In fact, some State Patrols in Nebraska are using the system to scan in driver's license information when issuing citations, which cuts down on data entry by officers and clerks. The state is interested in rolling the scanners out, yet wants to minimize the amount of personal information exposed in the process. Hence, the state is focusing on scans of watermarks.
http://www.omaha.com
"Konop Backs Use of Hybrid Vehicles"
Toledo Blade (OH) (09/06/06) P. B1; Blake, Erica
Ben Konop, who is campaigning to become the next commissioner of Ohio's Lucas County, has proposed transitioning the county's fleet of vehicles to include hybrids within 2010. Under the proposal, hybrids will account for one-third of fleet vehicles. The plan will not effect some county-owned vehicles, such as sheriff's cruisers. Konop cited the county's annual fuel cost, which exceeds $1 million, as one reason for the change. He estimates that including hybrids among the county's fleet of vehicles could lower annual fuel costs by several hundreds of thousands of dollars. Konop added that the county could recoup its investment in just three years, if gas prices exceed $3 per gallon.
http://www.toledoblade.com
/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060906/NEWS09/
609060401&SearchID=73256650019158
"BART Wants to Hire Anti-Terrorism Chief"
San Francisco Chronicle (09/11/06) P. B2; Bulwa, Demian
The San Francisco Bay Area's BART transit system is seeking to hire an anti-terrorism chief for coordinating its strategy for heading off terrorist attacks and to secure grants from the state and federal governments. In a question-and-answer session at a briefing about the agency's plans for the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, BART Director James Fang described the position as being in charge of coordinating the BART system's effort to prevent terrorist events and to respond if such an attack does take place. The terrorism chief would also develop relationships with the FBI and other counterterrorism agencies, as well as overseeing the agency's applications for grants from the federal Department of Homeland Security and other entities. In August, $2.9 million worth of homeland security funds were released by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for Transbay Tube security improvements, but BART officials believe they have not been given a fair share of these sorts of grants overall. They argue that the rail system is vital to the Bay Area and that terrorists have targeted mass transit already.
http://www.sfgate.com
/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a
/2006/09/11/BAG62L37GQ1.DTL
"Despite Millions Spent, Boston Is Vulnerable"
Boston Globe (09/11/06) P. A1; Kurkjian, Stephen; Cullen, Kevin; Farragher, Thomas
Five years after the 9/11 attacks and despite millions of dollars already spent, Boston remains vulnerable to terrorist attacks. Security experts have long been emphasizing the attractiveness of seaports as terrorist targets, but Boston Harbor's sensitive areas are still clearly vulnerable, as officials are still working to secure the money needed to buy a 7,000-foot-long movable barrier that could seal off parts of the harbor in an emergency. Boston officials have also not yet completed a seamless emergency communication network for responders to a potential mass-transit attack, and Logan Airport, where hijacked flights on 9/11 originated, still has vulnerabilities in areas such as air cargo. Law enforcement officials generally say they now have a better ability to gather and analyze raw terrorist-related intelligence and that police agencies have become forced to cooperate. However, they are much less confident that they would be able to detect in time the kind of threat they see as most likely. This would be an assault to the "soft" targets easily available in open societies, such as schools and hotels and shopping malls, as well as Plymouth's nuclear power plant, where the pool for spent fuel rods has not been fortified against potential attacks. Though a test of Boston's evacuation abilities went well, this was undercut by the fact that the other eight communities in the Boston evacuation plan were not included in the test. In addition, spending the $230 million in federal antiterrorism funds that Massachusetts has received has been held up by squabbles among cities and towns, as well as problems with major purchases such as more than 1,000 Motorola emergency phones.
http://www.boston.com
/news/local/massachusetts/articles
/2006/09/10/despite_millions_spent_
boston_is_vulnerable/
"When a Stranger Calls, Beware of the Pretext"
Washington Post (09/09/06) P. D1; Ahrens, Frank
Hewlett-Packard's (HP) recent internal investigation of company leaks to the media involved the hiring of a private contractor who misrepresented himself to HP officials and their personal phone companies in search of information as well as phone-logs of their calling activity. Dubbed "pretexting" by the media, the HP-hired private investigator claimed to individual HP board members that he was another board member in order to get the information, and also may have impersonated these members to U.S. phone companies to obtain their phone-calling records. Pretexting also is being used by data companies to amass and sell information on consumers, and could be used by criminals seeking financial and password information, such as asking someone for their bank's name, and the name of their pet. The 1999 Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act makes it illegal to use pretexting to obtain financial information from American citizens. However, pretexting for non-financial information is a legal gray area today. Recently, a phone log of 100 cell phone calls made by General Wesley Clark was sold online for $89.95. This incident caught the attention of Congress, which is drafting additional legislation on pretexting.
http://www.washingtonpost.com
/wp-dyn/content/article/2006
/09/08/AR2006090801856.html
"Creating the Super "Detective""
Law Enforcement Technology (08/06) Vol. 33, No. 8, P. 50; Heinecke, Jeannine
The New York City Police Department's (NYPD) Real Time Crime Center, launched in July 2005, allows criminal investigations to be conducted faster. To this end, it was necessary to harmonize isolated blocks of data so information could be electronically accessible and easy to use. A crime data warehouse was created by IBM Global Services based on incorporating common format data from complaints, arrests, 911, and other systems. The current crime center can now access millions of files from city and state criminal databases, 911 call records, parole and probation files, and public records and national crime records. The NYPD has also equipped eight vans with secure wireless access to the crime center's portal and other communication devices so detectives can access needed data; the vans are used by seven homicide squads and one major case squad. Investigators can access historical location data to determine, for example, if there has been a high number of drug arrests in a particular area, if a sexual predator lives in a certain area, and the location of a frequent 911 caller. One of the most important aspects of crime pattern assessments is Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, which allows detectives to look at data from a certain geographic viewpoint, such as crimes near schools or train lines. The center is also enhancing cross-jurisdictional searches by being able to conduct more detailed searches using small bits of data such as outstanding telephone bills.
http://www.officer.com/magazines/let/
"Less-Lethal Options for Off-Duty Carry"
Police (08/06) Vol. 30, No. 8, P. 80; Kasanof, Adam
Adam Kasanof, a retired New York Police Department lieutenant, explores the different types of less-lethal weapons that police officers can carry when off-duty and the issues concerning their use. He notes that agency rules and local laws vary on the use of lethal force by officers and the carrying of less-lethal options. However, he emphasizes that officers will not be punished for using lethal force even while carrying less-lethal tools, if their actions are acceptable under agency rules. Kasanof writes that oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray can provide officers with an opportunity to get distance from an assailant, but notes that the substance is harmful to pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and those with asthma or other breathing problems. Flashlights can provide officers with both illumination of dark areas and a defensive weapon that can be used for applying Kubotan-type techniques, including wristlocks. Kasanof recommends that police officers consider carrying two variants of flashlights: A very small light with strong illumination and one a little larger that can be stored in a hip pocket. Kasanof also recommends the Kubotan and similar products based on the same design, but adds that officers should become familiar with its use through training. Heavier options include carrying expandable batons, but Kasanof warns against striking the assailant's head because of the potential of lethal injury, unless required. A portable radio is also a valuable tool for calling for medical help or backup when police officers face an emergency, but officers need to ensure that the radio can work with the communications systems employed by their agency.
http://www.policemag.com
Monday, September 11, 2006
Tactical Weapons Writer is 121st Police Author added to Police-Writer.com
Dave Lauck has been involved in law enforcement for over 20 years. Currently, he is employed by the Campbell Country Sheriff’s Office in Wyoming. Dave is a police and NRA certified firearms instructor, as well as a contact weapon instructor. He is a POST certified practitioner/lecturer in SWAT and in counter sniper tactics. Lauck has served as a firearms instructor for the National Shooting Sports Foundation and Hollywood's Stunt Person Organization.
As founder of the S.A.T.A. he has provided services for members of state, local, and federal police, USMC, Army, National Guard, Rangers, Seals and qualified civilians. Lauck is also founder of the O.M.C. (One Mile Club) where shooters test their long-range shooting skills. In 2002 Lauck received a Golden Eagle Award from the U.S. military for professional firearms training. In 2003 he was selected as chief sniper instructor for the 2004 World SWAT Conference.
Dave Lauck’s books mirror his expertise. His is the author of “Advanced Tactical Marksman: More High-Performance Techniques for Police, Military, and Practical Shooters,” “Tactical Marksman: A Complete Training Manual For Police And Practical Shooters” and “Tactical 1911: The Street Cop's And SWAT Operator's Guide To Employment and Maintenance.”
Among Dave’s accomplishments as a competitive shooter are: 1990 Tactical Rifle Event winner at the S.O.F. World Championship Tactical Match; top 10% finisher in the 1990 S.O.F. 3-gun World Championship Match; Team Captain at the 1991 S.O.F. World Championship Match; 1st Place in the NRA 600 yard Countersniper Match in 1988; 1st Place in the 1987 S.A.A. Countersniper Shoot-off; 1986 South Dakota Highway Patrol Two-Gun Combat Match Police Champion, and Champion of the 1985 Northwest Regionals. Additionally, he was the Wyoming Tactical Division winner in 1995. In 1996 and 1997 he was the recipient of Outstanding Shooter awards and has been top shooter 1998-2005. In 2006 Dave Lauck was the first to surpass Col. Jeff Cooper's 20-20-20 challenge; 20 shots, in less than 20 seconds, in less than a 20 inch target at 1000 yards. Lauck used a personally customized D&L precision rifle with Black Hills match grade ammunition for the event.
The Lauck family has been involved in American custom firearms as far back as the 1700s. This unsurpassed family tradition lends to pride in every job. Dave Lauck’s company, D&L Sports, continues to teach safe and responsible gun ownership to all generations.
Dave has customized 8 consecutive World Championship presentation firearms and is considered among the top 5 pistolsmiths in America. He also customized the first place tactical carbine for the first National Patrol Rifle Championships, 2006. His tactical rifles have been considered the best available by the ASOSA and others. In 1998 the MR-30PG tactical rifle developed by Lauck swept the tactical matches, earning 1st place in the overall International Tactical Rifleman Championships, 1st place in the Carlos Hathcock benefit shoot-off.
In 1996 Lauck was unanimously selected to receive the Excellence in Craft Award from the AGA. Dave Lauck received the 2005-2006 ITRC awards for dedication above and beyond the call of duty. Dave Lauck was the recipient of the 2006 APG President's Award for advancements in the shooting industry. His presentation quality custom 1911 for Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper was inducted into the Buffalo Bill Historical Center Museum in 1997. In 2001 Lauck customized two gold inlayed presentation handguns for President Bush and Vice President Cheney. In 2003 Lauck customized a personal 1911 for General Tommy Franks to recognize his leadership of American combat troops.
Police-Writers.com now hosts 121 police authors and their 369 books in six categories.
As founder of the S.A.T.A. he has provided services for members of state, local, and federal police, USMC, Army, National Guard, Rangers, Seals and qualified civilians. Lauck is also founder of the O.M.C. (One Mile Club) where shooters test their long-range shooting skills. In 2002 Lauck received a Golden Eagle Award from the U.S. military for professional firearms training. In 2003 he was selected as chief sniper instructor for the 2004 World SWAT Conference.
Dave Lauck’s books mirror his expertise. His is the author of “Advanced Tactical Marksman: More High-Performance Techniques for Police, Military, and Practical Shooters,” “Tactical Marksman: A Complete Training Manual For Police And Practical Shooters” and “Tactical 1911: The Street Cop's And SWAT Operator's Guide To Employment and Maintenance.”
Among Dave’s accomplishments as a competitive shooter are: 1990 Tactical Rifle Event winner at the S.O.F. World Championship Tactical Match; top 10% finisher in the 1990 S.O.F. 3-gun World Championship Match; Team Captain at the 1991 S.O.F. World Championship Match; 1st Place in the NRA 600 yard Countersniper Match in 1988; 1st Place in the 1987 S.A.A. Countersniper Shoot-off; 1986 South Dakota Highway Patrol Two-Gun Combat Match Police Champion, and Champion of the 1985 Northwest Regionals. Additionally, he was the Wyoming Tactical Division winner in 1995. In 1996 and 1997 he was the recipient of Outstanding Shooter awards and has been top shooter 1998-2005. In 2006 Dave Lauck was the first to surpass Col. Jeff Cooper's 20-20-20 challenge; 20 shots, in less than 20 seconds, in less than a 20 inch target at 1000 yards. Lauck used a personally customized D&L precision rifle with Black Hills match grade ammunition for the event.
The Lauck family has been involved in American custom firearms as far back as the 1700s. This unsurpassed family tradition lends to pride in every job. Dave Lauck’s company, D&L Sports, continues to teach safe and responsible gun ownership to all generations.
Dave has customized 8 consecutive World Championship presentation firearms and is considered among the top 5 pistolsmiths in America. He also customized the first place tactical carbine for the first National Patrol Rifle Championships, 2006. His tactical rifles have been considered the best available by the ASOSA and others. In 1998 the MR-30PG tactical rifle developed by Lauck swept the tactical matches, earning 1st place in the overall International Tactical Rifleman Championships, 1st place in the Carlos Hathcock benefit shoot-off.
In 1996 Lauck was unanimously selected to receive the Excellence in Craft Award from the AGA. Dave Lauck received the 2005-2006 ITRC awards for dedication above and beyond the call of duty. Dave Lauck was the recipient of the 2006 APG President's Award for advancements in the shooting industry. His presentation quality custom 1911 for Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper was inducted into the Buffalo Bill Historical Center Museum in 1997. In 2001 Lauck customized two gold inlayed presentation handguns for President Bush and Vice President Cheney. In 2003 Lauck customized a personal 1911 for General Tommy Franks to recognize his leadership of American combat troops.
Police-Writers.com now hosts 121 police authors and their 369 books in six categories.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Police Suicide and Law Enforcement Stress Topics added by Police Writer John Violanti
September 9, 2006 (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com, a website dedicated to police officers turned authors reached 359 books with the addition of police writer John Violanti.
Dr. John Violanti is a respected faculty member of the Law Enforcement Wellness Association. Dr. Violanti conducts clinical research on a host of law enforcement health and wellness issues for The University of Buffalo Department of Social and Preventative Medicine. In addition to his research, Dr. Violanti has written and edited several books relating to law enforcement stress and trauma including Police Suicide; Epidemic in Blue, Police Trauma, and Post Traumatic Stress Intervention. In addition to his work with The University of Buffalo, John is an Associate Professor within the Department of Criminal Justice at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York.
Dr. John Violanti has "been there and done that." He retired after 22 years of dedicated service as a New York State Trooper. His knowledge of the law enforcement culture and the stress and trauma experienced by law enforcement officers make his books and articles must reading for those within the law enforcement profession.
In a review of Violanti’s book, “Police Suicide: Epidemic in Blue,” the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin stated, “Does living life inside a uniform put an individual at a higher risk for self-destruction? Perhaps, if its wearer becomes psychologically unable to reach out for help or take help when offered. Individuals disguise depression, alcohol abuse, and personal fears and demons easier than people realize, especially those individuals who are trained to keep their feelings out of sight. Recognizing this, in the last chapter, the author discusses the needs of survivors of police suicide (i.e., spouses, children, fellow officers, and friends). By tackling this delicate subject, the author proves that Pogo was wrong when he said, "There is no problem too big you can't run away from it." The author's advice and direction in this area could help to ameliorate the complicated bereavement and grief suffered by the survivors of suicide. This book deserves a wide audience, from police officers and their families to police administrators and mental health professionals.”
Dr. Violanti is the author or co-author of eight additional books centered on stress and law enforcement. Police-Writers.com hosts 117 police officers and their 359 books in six categories.
Dr. John Violanti is a respected faculty member of the Law Enforcement Wellness Association. Dr. Violanti conducts clinical research on a host of law enforcement health and wellness issues for The University of Buffalo Department of Social and Preventative Medicine. In addition to his research, Dr. Violanti has written and edited several books relating to law enforcement stress and trauma including Police Suicide; Epidemic in Blue, Police Trauma, and Post Traumatic Stress Intervention. In addition to his work with The University of Buffalo, John is an Associate Professor within the Department of Criminal Justice at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York.
Dr. John Violanti has "been there and done that." He retired after 22 years of dedicated service as a New York State Trooper. His knowledge of the law enforcement culture and the stress and trauma experienced by law enforcement officers make his books and articles must reading for those within the law enforcement profession.
In a review of Violanti’s book, “Police Suicide: Epidemic in Blue,” the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin stated, “Does living life inside a uniform put an individual at a higher risk for self-destruction? Perhaps, if its wearer becomes psychologically unable to reach out for help or take help when offered. Individuals disguise depression, alcohol abuse, and personal fears and demons easier than people realize, especially those individuals who are trained to keep their feelings out of sight. Recognizing this, in the last chapter, the author discusses the needs of survivors of police suicide (i.e., spouses, children, fellow officers, and friends). By tackling this delicate subject, the author proves that Pogo was wrong when he said, "There is no problem too big you can't run away from it." The author's advice and direction in this area could help to ameliorate the complicated bereavement and grief suffered by the survivors of suicide. This book deserves a wide audience, from police officers and their families to police administrators and mental health professionals.”
Dr. Violanti is the author or co-author of eight additional books centered on stress and law enforcement. Police-Writers.com hosts 117 police officers and their 359 books in six categories.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Police-Writers.com adds the 100th Police Author
September 2, 2006 (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com, a website dedicated to police officers turned authors, has added its 100th police author, Richard Rosenthal. Richard is the Chief of Police the Wellfleet Police Department, Massachusetts, a town located halfway between the "tip" and "elbow" of Cape Cod.
Before becoming Chief of Police in Wellfleet, Chief Rosenthal spent twenty years in the New York Police Department, where he ran the Heavy Weapons and Undercover Weapons Training programs and, as a detective in the Bronx dealt with homicide, narcotics, and armed robbery. Before joining the NYPD, he worked for U.S. Air Force military intelligence as a Russian language specialist. In addition to being the chief of police, he is the author of four books. His latest book, published in 2000, is titled “Rookie Cop: Deep Undercover in the Jewish Defense League.”
According to Kirkus reviews, it is "a strange true tale of a Jewish NYPD cadet recruited into the department's elite intelligence unit to spy on the Jewish Defense League, offering vivid portraits of a politically incendiary era and revealing secrets of intrusive police tactics. This is a well-tuned portrait of the stress and acrimony that permeates such radical cliques, and of the lonely, paranoid personalities at their centers - and it offers insights into the radically charged violence of the early 1970s. Rosenthal has a fine eye for human detail and a cop's mordant sensibility. Altogether an exciting tale of unusual police practices, and a solid portrait of a quintessential fringe radical group inhabiting insecure, volatile times.”
His other works include two books on policing, “Sky Cops: Stories from America’s Airborne Police” and “K-9 Cops;” and, one novel – “The Murder of Old Comrades.” According to the Wall Street Journal, his novel is "a spicy police procedural about KGB assassins on the loose in Manhattan.”
Police-Writers.com now lists 100 police authors and their 313 books in six categories. Police officers have written a wide range of books. Some are widely used by universities and colleges to teach in criminal justice, law enforcement, police technology and leadership. Other police authors have concentrate on the police procedural genre in novels, adding realism that readers won’t find elsewhere. Still other give readers a police officers insight into true crime and life on the beat. But there are also books on poetry – if the author was a police officer you will find it on Police-Writers.com.
Before becoming Chief of Police in Wellfleet, Chief Rosenthal spent twenty years in the New York Police Department, where he ran the Heavy Weapons and Undercover Weapons Training programs and, as a detective in the Bronx dealt with homicide, narcotics, and armed robbery. Before joining the NYPD, he worked for U.S. Air Force military intelligence as a Russian language specialist. In addition to being the chief of police, he is the author of four books. His latest book, published in 2000, is titled “Rookie Cop: Deep Undercover in the Jewish Defense League.”
According to Kirkus reviews, it is "a strange true tale of a Jewish NYPD cadet recruited into the department's elite intelligence unit to spy on the Jewish Defense League, offering vivid portraits of a politically incendiary era and revealing secrets of intrusive police tactics. This is a well-tuned portrait of the stress and acrimony that permeates such radical cliques, and of the lonely, paranoid personalities at their centers - and it offers insights into the radically charged violence of the early 1970s. Rosenthal has a fine eye for human detail and a cop's mordant sensibility. Altogether an exciting tale of unusual police practices, and a solid portrait of a quintessential fringe radical group inhabiting insecure, volatile times.”
His other works include two books on policing, “Sky Cops: Stories from America’s Airborne Police” and “K-9 Cops;” and, one novel – “The Murder of Old Comrades.” According to the Wall Street Journal, his novel is "a spicy police procedural about KGB assassins on the loose in Manhattan.”
Police-Writers.com now lists 100 police authors and their 313 books in six categories. Police officers have written a wide range of books. Some are widely used by universities and colleges to teach in criminal justice, law enforcement, police technology and leadership. Other police authors have concentrate on the police procedural genre in novels, adding realism that readers won’t find elsewhere. Still other give readers a police officers insight into true crime and life on the beat. But there are also books on poetry – if the author was a police officer you will find it on Police-Writers.com.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Stress and Law Enforcement
My 24 years in law enforcement taught me the importance of maintaining a physical, mental and emotional balance. The streets, the hours and even the supervisors can push you toward an imbalance. I endorse the products and the business model of this organization as a means of restoring personal balance.
The Balance Company
The Balance Company
Monday, August 28, 2006
Crime Analysis Unit Starter Kit Available Free to Law Enforcement
DENVER - The Crime Mapping and Analysis Program (CMAP), located at the University of Denver, National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC-Rocky Mountain) announces the release of the Crime Analysis Unit (CAU) Developer's Kit.
READ ON:
http://www.criminaljustice-online.com/forum13/357.html
READ ON:
http://www.criminaljustice-online.com/forum13/357.html
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Global Alert Map
The global alert map, operated by the National Association of Radio-Distress Signaling and Infocommunications, Havaria Emergency and Disaster Information Services, Budapest Hungary, provides a fantastic near-real-time recap of world-wide events; everything from terrorist attacks in Turkey to an algae bloom in an Oregon lake.
Global Alert Map
http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert.php?lang=eng
There is also a hyperlink to the map from the blog at www.terrorism-online.blogspot.com
Raymond
www.police-writers.com
Global Alert Map
http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert.php?lang=eng
There is also a hyperlink to the map from the blog at www.terrorism-online.blogspot.com
Raymond
www.police-writers.com
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Eleven tactics improve your interview score
1. BE THAT PERSON
2. SHINE OR DIE
3. KILL THE BEAST
4. RECON NOW
5. DON’T LIE – PRETEND
6. KSA OR ELSE
7. SMOKE ‘EM OUT
8. RECOGNIZE, DON’T MEMORIZE
9. IT AIN’T WALL PAPER
10. CLOSE ‘EM OUT
11. THE RAMBLING MAN
Read the article at:
http://www.criminaljustice-online.com/forum9/354.html
2. SHINE OR DIE
3. KILL THE BEAST
4. RECON NOW
5. DON’T LIE – PRETEND
6. KSA OR ELSE
7. SMOKE ‘EM OUT
8. RECOGNIZE, DON’T MEMORIZE
9. IT AIN’T WALL PAPER
10. CLOSE ‘EM OUT
11. THE RAMBLING MAN
Read the article at:
http://www.criminaljustice-online.com/forum9/354.html
Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial
On June 19th, 2004, a granite wall commemorating the soldiers who have died in the recent Middle East Conflicts was erected in Marseilles, Illinois. The wall is over 50 feet long and stands six feet high. As of March 6, 2005, the names of 2500 soldiers, marines, sailors, airmen and coastguardsmen who have fallen in Middle East Conflicts since 1980.
You can visit the website at http://www.ilfreedomrun.org/
You can visit the website at http://www.ilfreedomrun.org/
War on Terrorism Blog surpasses 500 entries
In June 2006, as he was researching book “From Cold War to Hot War: The New War on Global Terrorism,” author and lecturer Raymond E. Foster realized he was amassing a tremendous amount of research. Traditional academic research, open source information from the Department of Defense daily briefings, data from the National Counterterrorism Center and a host of daily, weekly and monthly news digests provided enough information to found a comprehensive blog on the War on Terrorism.
The blog includes original works like “Terrorism: Crime or Asymmetrical Warfare;” an effort to define terrorism in the context of American criminal justice. Other original works, like the analysis of world-wide attacks on police officers provide important data, information and analysis for the development of “street” counterterrorism tactics. Indeed, that blog entry has been published by a number of American municipal police departments; and, translated by two foreign governments for use by their uniformed police officers.
In addition to monitoring domestic conditions and events, the blog has many entries detailing events overseas, specifically in the Middle East. While the blog reports on events, it also reflects many of the human experiences of American’s fighting terrorism abroad. For instance, in a recent entry, an Air Force Technical Sergeant describes how he was eating lunch in the break room when he felt as if he had been slugged in the arm and was enveloped in a cloud of smoke. At first, he thought the television exploded. In reality, a rocket sliced through the back of his left shoulder and peppered his hands and arms with metal shards. There was only one thing going through his mind at the time: "Survival! I just wanted to make it out alive," he said.
According to Sun Tzu, in “The Art of War, "Thus it is said that one who knows the enemy and knows himself will not be endangered in a hundred engagements." Mindful of the need to know ones self and the enemy, the blog contains hyperlinks to important documents such as the “Al Qaeda Training Manual” and “The United States Military Guide to Terrorism in the 21st Century.” Updated daily, the blog can be read at http://terrorism-online.blogspot.com/
The blog includes original works like “Terrorism: Crime or Asymmetrical Warfare;” an effort to define terrorism in the context of American criminal justice. Other original works, like the analysis of world-wide attacks on police officers provide important data, information and analysis for the development of “street” counterterrorism tactics. Indeed, that blog entry has been published by a number of American municipal police departments; and, translated by two foreign governments for use by their uniformed police officers.
In addition to monitoring domestic conditions and events, the blog has many entries detailing events overseas, specifically in the Middle East. While the blog reports on events, it also reflects many of the human experiences of American’s fighting terrorism abroad. For instance, in a recent entry, an Air Force Technical Sergeant describes how he was eating lunch in the break room when he felt as if he had been slugged in the arm and was enveloped in a cloud of smoke. At first, he thought the television exploded. In reality, a rocket sliced through the back of his left shoulder and peppered his hands and arms with metal shards. There was only one thing going through his mind at the time: "Survival! I just wanted to make it out alive," he said.
According to Sun Tzu, in “The Art of War, "Thus it is said that one who knows the enemy and knows himself will not be endangered in a hundred engagements." Mindful of the need to know ones self and the enemy, the blog contains hyperlinks to important documents such as the “Al Qaeda Training Manual” and “The United States Military Guide to Terrorism in the 21st Century.” Updated daily, the blog can be read at http://terrorism-online.blogspot.com/
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Soldier Missing in Action From the Korean War is Identified
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Korean War, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors. He is Cpl. Edward F. Blazejewski, U.S. Army, of Elizabeth, N.J. He is to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C. on Friday.
Blazejewski was assigned to Medical Company, 8th Cavalry Regiment, when his unit came under heavy artillery attack by Chinese forces near Unsan, North Korea, on Nov. 1, 1950. During the attack, Cpl. Blazejewski and other soldiers killed in action were left behind when their unit moved to a previous defensive position. A U.S. soldier who had been held as a prisoner of war by the North Koreans told debriefers that Blazejewski and others had been killed by a grenade explosion.
In August 1997, a joint U.S.-North Korean team, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) excavated a site in Pyongan Province believed to contain the remains of several U.S. soldiers. Remains representing four men were recovered, as well as an identification tag and a denture, neither of which were associated with Blazejewski.
The other three soldiers were identified and buried in 2000. Buried at Arlington were Sgt. James T. Higgins, Benham, Ky.; and Pfc. John L. Hoey, Philadelphia, Pa. Sgt. Andrew Ernandis, Brooklyn, N.Y., was buried in Hicksville, N.Y. Group remains representing all four soldiers will also be buried Friday at Arlington.
Among other forensic identification tools, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA in the identification of Blazejewski's remains, matching a DNA sequence from a maternal relative.
For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.
Blazejewski was assigned to Medical Company, 8th Cavalry Regiment, when his unit came under heavy artillery attack by Chinese forces near Unsan, North Korea, on Nov. 1, 1950. During the attack, Cpl. Blazejewski and other soldiers killed in action were left behind when their unit moved to a previous defensive position. A U.S. soldier who had been held as a prisoner of war by the North Koreans told debriefers that Blazejewski and others had been killed by a grenade explosion.
In August 1997, a joint U.S.-North Korean team, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) excavated a site in Pyongan Province believed to contain the remains of several U.S. soldiers. Remains representing four men were recovered, as well as an identification tag and a denture, neither of which were associated with Blazejewski.
The other three soldiers were identified and buried in 2000. Buried at Arlington were Sgt. James T. Higgins, Benham, Ky.; and Pfc. John L. Hoey, Philadelphia, Pa. Sgt. Andrew Ernandis, Brooklyn, N.Y., was buried in Hicksville, N.Y. Group remains representing all four soldiers will also be buried Friday at Arlington.
Among other forensic identification tools, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA in the identification of Blazejewski's remains, matching a DNA sequence from a maternal relative.
For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
A COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP APPROACH TO ADDRESSING METH - LIVE WEBCAST AND SATELLITE BROADCAST
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
August 22, 2006 • 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
A free, live, interactive webcast and satellite broadcast addressing the state of the meth epidemic threatening the health and safety of our nation’s communities. Viewers will learn how community policing and partnerships can be used to enhance enforcement activities as well as prevention efforts. Special features of the programs include:
• The latest facts on the dangers of meth and the efforts underway across the nation to
control its spread
• Examples of how both national and local level partnerships have increased the capacity to
identify clandestine laboratories, create prevention programs, and protect our children
• Practical advice on starting partnerships and tips for making them work
• Specific strategies that enabled Salt Lake City, Utah to make significant progress against
meth in their community
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Sign up today at http://www.dojconnect.com/. View the program live from any computer or via satellite broadcast and submit questions to our panel of experts by e-mail.
UNABLE TO VIEW THE WEBCAST OR SATELLITE BROADCAST LIVE?
All programs will be archived at http://www.dojconnect.com/ for 12 months; watch anytime, 24/7.
HOW TO MAXIMIZE THE VALUE OF THE WEBCAST OR SATELLITE BROADCAST
1. Host a town hall meeting at your location where groups can watch together. Conduct discussion sessions after the program. Discussion guides will be available prior to the program on http://www.dojconnect.com/.
2. Tell your partners and colleagues about the webcast through your e-mail listserv and other communication methods or forward this e-mail.
3. Promote the webcast on your organization’s web site. Banners are available for use on your site at http://www.dojconnect.com/
INFORMATION WE NEED FROM YOU
1. Register now to view the webcast. Registration is free. By signing up today, you will receive a reminder e-mail so you won’t miss this very important program.
2. If you plan to view the program by satellite broadcast, please check the box "Would you like to receive information regarding our satellite broadcast?” during registration. We will e-mail satellite coordinates and additional information when available.
3. Register your town hall meeting now. Town hall facilitator materials and discussion guides will be available through http://www.dojconnect.com/.
ALREADY REGISTERED WITH DOJCONNECT.COM?
If you registered to view the webcast, “Preventing Gangs in Our Communities” you do not need to register again. Please use your log-in information to view all webcasts on http://www.dojconnect.com/. Can’t remember your log-in information? Go to the Forgot Your Password page at http://www.dojconnect.com/index.cfm?page=2.000&action=forgot.
For more information, visit http://www.dojconnect.com/ or call 800.421.6770.
August 22, 2006 • 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
A free, live, interactive webcast and satellite broadcast addressing the state of the meth epidemic threatening the health and safety of our nation’s communities. Viewers will learn how community policing and partnerships can be used to enhance enforcement activities as well as prevention efforts. Special features of the programs include:
• The latest facts on the dangers of meth and the efforts underway across the nation to
control its spread
• Examples of how both national and local level partnerships have increased the capacity to
identify clandestine laboratories, create prevention programs, and protect our children
• Practical advice on starting partnerships and tips for making them work
• Specific strategies that enabled Salt Lake City, Utah to make significant progress against
meth in their community
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Sign up today at http://www.dojconnect.com/. View the program live from any computer or via satellite broadcast and submit questions to our panel of experts by e-mail.
UNABLE TO VIEW THE WEBCAST OR SATELLITE BROADCAST LIVE?
All programs will be archived at http://www.dojconnect.com/ for 12 months; watch anytime, 24/7.
HOW TO MAXIMIZE THE VALUE OF THE WEBCAST OR SATELLITE BROADCAST
1. Host a town hall meeting at your location where groups can watch together. Conduct discussion sessions after the program. Discussion guides will be available prior to the program on http://www.dojconnect.com/.
2. Tell your partners and colleagues about the webcast through your e-mail listserv and other communication methods or forward this e-mail.
3. Promote the webcast on your organization’s web site. Banners are available for use on your site at http://www.dojconnect.com/
INFORMATION WE NEED FROM YOU
1. Register now to view the webcast. Registration is free. By signing up today, you will receive a reminder e-mail so you won’t miss this very important program.
2. If you plan to view the program by satellite broadcast, please check the box "Would you like to receive information regarding our satellite broadcast?” during registration. We will e-mail satellite coordinates and additional information when available.
3. Register your town hall meeting now. Town hall facilitator materials and discussion guides will be available through http://www.dojconnect.com/.
ALREADY REGISTERED WITH DOJCONNECT.COM?
If you registered to view the webcast, “Preventing Gangs in Our Communities” you do not need to register again. Please use your log-in information to view all webcasts on http://www.dojconnect.com/. Can’t remember your log-in information? Go to the Forgot Your Password page at http://www.dojconnect.com/index.cfm?page=2.000&action=forgot.
For more information, visit http://www.dojconnect.com/ or call 800.421.6770.
Certificate in Homeland Security Studies
Certificate in Homeland Security Studies (Fall semester; Georgetown Univ., Washington, DC) The Certificate in Homeland Security Studies is a 5-course, 15-credit curriculum that prepares students for new homeland security challenges.
More Information
http://www.criminaljustice-online.com/forum10/337.html
More Information
http://www.criminaljustice-online.com/forum10/337.html
Thursday, August 03, 2006
International Association of Chiefs of Police
According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, IACP, “If you take it seriously and commit yourself to being the best leader and most effective follower you can become, leadership development is a lifelong process. Continue to seek out opportunities to participate in formal leadership training, strive for increased leadership roles and responsibilities, and keep reading!”
Leaders from large and small Police Departments, like the Los Angeles Police Department, the New York City Police Department, or the West Covina Police Department, can benefit from personal development and study.
Police Department Leadership is organized according to leadership position
Level One: Service Deliver Providers/Followers
Level Two: Small-Unit Leaders
Level Three: Organizational Leaders
Level Four: Executive Leaders
View the IACP’s List
Leaders from large and small Police Departments, like the Los Angeles Police Department, the New York City Police Department, or the West Covina Police Department, can benefit from personal development and study.
Police Department Leadership is organized according to leadership position
Level One: Service Deliver Providers/Followers
Level Two: Small-Unit Leaders
Level Three: Organizational Leaders
Level Four: Executive Leaders
View the IACP’s List
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Psychological Analysis
"A rare 1943 document — a psychological analysis of the personality of Adolph Hitler that predicted, among other things, his eventual suicide — is now available on the Cornell Law Library's Web site, at: http://www.lawschool.cornell.edu/library/donovan/hitler/.
The copyright to the original document — number three of only 30 copies made — was granted to the Law Library by Nina Murray, the widow of the document's main author, Dr. Henry A. Murray. Henry Murray was a pre-World War II director of the Harvard Psychological Clinic and, during the war, served in the Office of Strategic Services, the forerunner to the Central Intelligence Agency. The psychological profile of Hitler was among the papers discovered in the Law Library's Donovan Nuremberg Trials Collection. "It's almost a unique piece," said Claire Germain, the Edward Cornell Law Librarian and professor of law at Cornell Law School. "
The copyright to the original document — number three of only 30 copies made — was granted to the Law Library by Nina Murray, the widow of the document's main author, Dr. Henry A. Murray. Henry Murray was a pre-World War II director of the Harvard Psychological Clinic and, during the war, served in the Office of Strategic Services, the forerunner to the Central Intelligence Agency. The psychological profile of Hitler was among the papers discovered in the Law Library's Donovan Nuremberg Trials Collection. "It's almost a unique piece," said Claire Germain, the Edward Cornell Law Librarian and professor of law at Cornell Law School. "
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Sex, Spies and Sabotage
Dale Griffis, Ph.D, former police captain with the Tiffin Police Department and internationally known law enforcement specialist, is the 72nd author listed by Police-Writers.com. His book “Secret Weapons : Two Sisters' Terrifying True Story of Sex, Spies and Sabotage” is the 170th book listed on the website.
Click for more information about his book
Click for more information about his book
Thursday, July 27, 2006
COP PUBLISHES CHILDREN’S BOOK
(San Dimas, CA) On July 26, 2006, police-writers.com added its first cop authored children’s book. According to Raymond E. Foster, the editor of the list, “Sergeant Randy Garcia, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department authored The Trunk and the Tortoise which is the first in his planned series, The Streamer Trunk Adventures.” Garcia is the 67th state or local police officer to be added to the list. His contribution brings the total number of cop authored books to 158.
In Garcia’s book, the main character Hunter is based on Garcia’s son. According to the book release, “Hunter has just completed the fourth grade and is not looking forward to spending another boring summer hanging around the house. When his grandfather, Captain Mike, sails into town, toting his mysterious steamer trunk, Hunter quickly formulates a plan. He stows away in the trunk, and the two begin an adventurous sailing trip filled with peril and excitement. Unwittingly, they stumble across a nefarious plan to smuggle endangered tortoises from the Galapagos Islands.”
Police-writers.com now lists 67 state or local police officers who have written 158 books. The website can be searched by author, department and category. The categories are fiction, true crime, biographical, academic, tactical and other. The police officers listed on the site come from 35 different departments.
Twenty-six writers are listed from the Los Angeles Police Department, giving it the distinction as the number one originator of cop writers. While the New York Police Department is running a distant second, with eight writers, “that is likely to change.” says Foster. Foster added, “we are finding new authors all the time and given the number there are probably plenty more NYPD cops who have published.”
In Garcia’s book, the main character Hunter is based on Garcia’s son. According to the book release, “Hunter has just completed the fourth grade and is not looking forward to spending another boring summer hanging around the house. When his grandfather, Captain Mike, sails into town, toting his mysterious steamer trunk, Hunter quickly formulates a plan. He stows away in the trunk, and the two begin an adventurous sailing trip filled with peril and excitement. Unwittingly, they stumble across a nefarious plan to smuggle endangered tortoises from the Galapagos Islands.”
Police-writers.com now lists 67 state or local police officers who have written 158 books. The website can be searched by author, department and category. The categories are fiction, true crime, biographical, academic, tactical and other. The police officers listed on the site come from 35 different departments.
Twenty-six writers are listed from the Los Angeles Police Department, giving it the distinction as the number one originator of cop writers. While the New York Police Department is running a distant second, with eight writers, “that is likely to change.” says Foster. Foster added, “we are finding new authors all the time and given the number there are probably plenty more NYPD cops who have published.”
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Retiree Wages 10-Year Battle to Clear Name After Identity Theft
By Elaine Wilson
FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, July 25, 2006 – John Smith's house wasn't ransacked, his wallet was never snatched, nor was his life threatened in exchange for a handful of cash on a dimly lit city street. Identity theft can happen to anyone. Experts recommend checking your credit reports periodically.
Yet he was robbed of something he will spend the rest of his life trying to reclaim -- his identity. The crime left him saddled with thousands of dollars of debt, a plunging credit score and costly disputes with creditors that have lasted for more than a decade. "I've been fighting this battle since 1996," the retired Army major said. "The scary part is I don't know when or if it will ever end."
Smith is a victim of identity theft, one of an estimated 10 million U.S. victims each year, according to the FBI. Identity thieves steal records, bank statements, mail, credit reports and even "dumpster dive" to obtain personal information. They use the stolen information to open credit card, bank and cell phone accounts, and may even use a stolen identity to get a job or skip out on a court date after an arrest. Victims can spend years recovering their good name and credit record, both infinitely more valuable than any number of stolen ID or credit cards.
"Thieves have gotten more sophisticated over the years," said Brian J. Novak, legal assistance attorney here. "Identity theft offers a way to rob the bank without physically running into the bank and risking violence." The topic has become a hot one in today's globally connected society where company laptops are stolen and hacked and consumers regularly send off personal information into cyberspace, and into the hands of "phishers," without a second thought. Along with the personal devastation, the crime has a hefty price tag, costing American businesses and consumers a reported $50 billion a year, according to the FBI.
Although in the limelight today, 10 years ago identity theft was barely a household term, particularly for an Army major with a flawless payment history and perfect credit. Smith was blissfully unaware of any troubles in 1996. He and his family had just served a three-year stint at an Army post in Europe. He returned home and applied for a home loan with the confidence brought about by years of low interest rates. To his surprise, he was denied.
"They told me I had horrible credit," he said. "I couldn't believe it. I never missed a payment on anything." He immediately ordered a credit report and saw delinquent charge after delinquent charge racked up throughout the southern half of the country -- New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Kentucky, Tennessee and California. Although Smith never physically lost his wallet or ID cards, a thief had obtained his information and was roaming throughout the country posing as Smith, using his name, past addresses and Social Security number. Smith contacted a few of the creditors and saw the forms the identity thief filled out with handwriting completely different from his own. For a cell phone company, the thief even posed as a carpet cleaner, a job the physician assistant had never held.
In the three years Smith was in Europe, the fugitive had piled up thousands of dollars in debt and left a breadcrumb trail of overdue cell phone bills, delinquent credit cards and exorbitant, unpaid department store purchases. Smith was shocked. "He had too much information, more than he could have gotten off of a check," he said. "It had to be someone who found information in my wallet while I was at the gym or someone from finance or personnel."
Smith immediately ordered a fraud alert so he would be notified whenever someone used his name or Social Security number to apply for credit and told credit agencies about his situation. He also painstakingly copied records and reports proving he was nowhere near where the debts were incurred.
But for dozens of unpaid creditors, the question was never which was the real John Smith, but which one was going to pay. Smith's answer every time has been, "not me."
"I have a two-drawer file cabinet just devoted to identity theft," he said. "For every discrepancy on my report, I have to make copies and send them through certified mail. It's exceedingly time consuming, but I haven't had to pay for a debt yet." However, Smith has paid a different price. "I had bad credit for a while, very poor credit," he said. "Each time I apply for credit I have to go prove that I'm not a bad risk. My credit has improved a lot but my interest rates are still higher than they should be.
"Even if you win a case, you still lose," Smith said. "You take a loss, whether it's paperwork or credit scores." Smith is still haunted 10 years later by crimes he didn't commit with delinquent notices and threats of lawsuits. He can't change the past, but Smith hopes that by sharing his story he can help others protect their future.
"Protect your identity," he advises. "Don't leave your personal information unlocked in the gym or in your car. Limit how much information you give out. And check your credit report once or twice a year. "I made the mistake of not checking my credit annually, especially while I was overseas," he added. "If I had, I may have been able to catch the problem sooner and nip it in the bud before it got as far as it did."
And for those battling the crime, "Get to a lawyer," he said. "You can get through it, but you'll need the help." *The name was changed to protect the subject's identity.
FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, July 25, 2006 – John Smith's house wasn't ransacked, his wallet was never snatched, nor was his life threatened in exchange for a handful of cash on a dimly lit city street. Identity theft can happen to anyone. Experts recommend checking your credit reports periodically.
Yet he was robbed of something he will spend the rest of his life trying to reclaim -- his identity. The crime left him saddled with thousands of dollars of debt, a plunging credit score and costly disputes with creditors that have lasted for more than a decade. "I've been fighting this battle since 1996," the retired Army major said. "The scary part is I don't know when or if it will ever end."
Smith is a victim of identity theft, one of an estimated 10 million U.S. victims each year, according to the FBI. Identity thieves steal records, bank statements, mail, credit reports and even "dumpster dive" to obtain personal information. They use the stolen information to open credit card, bank and cell phone accounts, and may even use a stolen identity to get a job or skip out on a court date after an arrest. Victims can spend years recovering their good name and credit record, both infinitely more valuable than any number of stolen ID or credit cards.
"Thieves have gotten more sophisticated over the years," said Brian J. Novak, legal assistance attorney here. "Identity theft offers a way to rob the bank without physically running into the bank and risking violence." The topic has become a hot one in today's globally connected society where company laptops are stolen and hacked and consumers regularly send off personal information into cyberspace, and into the hands of "phishers," without a second thought. Along with the personal devastation, the crime has a hefty price tag, costing American businesses and consumers a reported $50 billion a year, according to the FBI.
Although in the limelight today, 10 years ago identity theft was barely a household term, particularly for an Army major with a flawless payment history and perfect credit. Smith was blissfully unaware of any troubles in 1996. He and his family had just served a three-year stint at an Army post in Europe. He returned home and applied for a home loan with the confidence brought about by years of low interest rates. To his surprise, he was denied.
"They told me I had horrible credit," he said. "I couldn't believe it. I never missed a payment on anything." He immediately ordered a credit report and saw delinquent charge after delinquent charge racked up throughout the southern half of the country -- New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Kentucky, Tennessee and California. Although Smith never physically lost his wallet or ID cards, a thief had obtained his information and was roaming throughout the country posing as Smith, using his name, past addresses and Social Security number. Smith contacted a few of the creditors and saw the forms the identity thief filled out with handwriting completely different from his own. For a cell phone company, the thief even posed as a carpet cleaner, a job the physician assistant had never held.
In the three years Smith was in Europe, the fugitive had piled up thousands of dollars in debt and left a breadcrumb trail of overdue cell phone bills, delinquent credit cards and exorbitant, unpaid department store purchases. Smith was shocked. "He had too much information, more than he could have gotten off of a check," he said. "It had to be someone who found information in my wallet while I was at the gym or someone from finance or personnel."
Smith immediately ordered a fraud alert so he would be notified whenever someone used his name or Social Security number to apply for credit and told credit agencies about his situation. He also painstakingly copied records and reports proving he was nowhere near where the debts were incurred.
But for dozens of unpaid creditors, the question was never which was the real John Smith, but which one was going to pay. Smith's answer every time has been, "not me."
"I have a two-drawer file cabinet just devoted to identity theft," he said. "For every discrepancy on my report, I have to make copies and send them through certified mail. It's exceedingly time consuming, but I haven't had to pay for a debt yet." However, Smith has paid a different price. "I had bad credit for a while, very poor credit," he said. "Each time I apply for credit I have to go prove that I'm not a bad risk. My credit has improved a lot but my interest rates are still higher than they should be.
"Even if you win a case, you still lose," Smith said. "You take a loss, whether it's paperwork or credit scores." Smith is still haunted 10 years later by crimes he didn't commit with delinquent notices and threats of lawsuits. He can't change the past, but Smith hopes that by sharing his story he can help others protect their future.
"Protect your identity," he advises. "Don't leave your personal information unlocked in the gym or in your car. Limit how much information you give out. And check your credit report once or twice a year. "I made the mistake of not checking my credit annually, especially while I was overseas," he added. "If I had, I may have been able to catch the problem sooner and nip it in the bud before it got as far as it did."
And for those battling the crime, "Get to a lawyer," he said. "You can get through it, but you'll need the help." *The name was changed to protect the subject's identity.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Terrorism Picks
The Washington Post asked Peter Bergen, a journalists who met and interviewed Osama bin Laden, and Warren Bass, a 9/11 Commission staffer pick the best books on terrorism.
Click to view their selections
http://www.hitechcj.com/homelandsecurity/terrorism_books.html
Click to view their selections
http://www.hitechcj.com/homelandsecurity/terrorism_books.html
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Crime Mapping Research Conference
The National Institute of Justice is accepting papers to be presented at the 9th Crime Mapping Research Conference.
The Crime Mapping Research Conference is about the study of society and its relationship with the elements that contribute to crime and the implementation of criminal justice. Papers can be submitted on a wide range of issues—from technical solutions to research methods to applied practices to policy decisions that impact society.
Deadline for submission: September 29, 2006
The Conference takes place March 28-31, 2007, in Pittsburgh, PA.
Application form: In PDF In MS Word
Learn more about the Conference at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/maps/
The Crime Mapping Research Conference is about the study of society and its relationship with the elements that contribute to crime and the implementation of criminal justice. Papers can be submitted on a wide range of issues—from technical solutions to research methods to applied practices to policy decisions that impact society.
Deadline for submission: September 29, 2006
The Conference takes place March 28-31, 2007, in Pittsburgh, PA.
Application form: In PDF In MS Word
Learn more about the Conference at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/maps/
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
War College Guide to National Security Policy Available for Download
This edition (408 pages in PDF Format) of the U. S. Army War College Guide to National Security Policy and Strategy reflects to some extent recent changes in the structure of the core curriculum at the War College. The college broke its traditional core course, “War, National Policy and Strategy,” into two courses: “Theory of War and Strategy” and “National Security Policy and Strategy.” The result for this book is the expansion of the block on strategic theory and the introduction of a block on specific strategic issues. Because little time has past since the publication of the most recent version of this book, this edition is largely an expansion of its predecessor rather than a major rewriting. Several chapters are new and others have undergone significant rewrites or updates, but about two-thirds of the book remains unchanged. Although this is not primarily a textbook, it does reflect both the method and manner we use to teach strategy formulation to America’s future senior leaders. The book is also not a comprehensive or exhaustive treatment of either strategy or the policymaking process. The Guide is organized in broad groups of chapters addressing general subject areas. We begin with a look at some specific issues about the general security environment—largely international. The section on strategic thought and formulation includes chapters on broad issues of strategy formulation as well as some basic strategic theory. The third section is about the elements of national power. A section on the national security policymaking process in the United States precedes the final section that deals with selected strategic issues.
http://www.hitechcj.com/homelandsecurity/war_college_guide.html
http://www.hitechcj.com/homelandsecurity/war_college_guide.html
Thursday, July 13, 2006
CrimeWeb
CrimeWeb is a free, centralized web based clearinghouse designed to facilitate the timely and efficient exchange of public safety related information between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.
This is an email, zip code based service. You enter your ZIP and email, if there is a public safety announcement - like a missing child, or major crime, in your area, you receive an email. It was developed by a Texas Police Captain as part of his FBI National Academy Project.
http://www.crimeweb.net/
Raymond
www.criminaljustice-online.com
This is an email, zip code based service. You enter your ZIP and email, if there is a public safety announcement - like a missing child, or major crime, in your area, you receive an email. It was developed by a Texas Police Captain as part of his FBI National Academy Project.
http://www.crimeweb.net/
Raymond
www.criminaljustice-online.com
Monday, July 10, 2006
65th Police Writer
Dale Ford, retired from the Midwest City Police Department (Oklahoma), joins his brother and sister police officers with Inconceivable Danger; a true crime story about the hunt for a dangerous drug lord in the Midwest. Dale is the 65th police officer to be listed on www.police-writers.com and marks the 154th listed book written by American Police Officers.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Racist extremists active in U.S. military
July 7, 2006 -- Under pressure to meet wartime manpower goals, the U.S. military has relaxed standards designed to weed out racist extremists. Large numbers of potentially violent neo-Nazis, skinheads and other white supremacists are now learning the art of warfare in the armed forces.
Department of Defense investigators estimate thousands of soldiers in the Army alone are involved in extremist or gang activity. "We've got Aryan Nations graffiti in Baghdad," said one investigator. "That's a problem."
Southern Poverty Law Center President Richard Cohen urged Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to adopt a zero-tolerance policy regarding racist extremism among members of the U.S. military.
"Because hate group membership and extremist activity are antithetical to the values and mission of our armed forces, we urge you to adopt a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to white supremacy in the military and to take all necessary steps to ensure that the policy is rigorously enforced," Cohen wrote in a letter to Rumsfeld
READ ON
Department of Defense investigators estimate thousands of soldiers in the Army alone are involved in extremist or gang activity. "We've got Aryan Nations graffiti in Baghdad," said one investigator. "That's a problem."
Southern Poverty Law Center President Richard Cohen urged Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to adopt a zero-tolerance policy regarding racist extremism among members of the U.S. military.
"Because hate group membership and extremist activity are antithetical to the values and mission of our armed forces, we urge you to adopt a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to white supremacy in the military and to take all necessary steps to ensure that the policy is rigorously enforced," Cohen wrote in a letter to Rumsfeld
READ ON
Saturday, July 08, 2006
64th Police Writer
Police Writers, a website dedicated to police officers who have written books added the 64TH author, retired sergeant David Jebb, of the San Diego Police Department (California). Jebb's book, The Thirteenth Time Zone brings the total number of listeed books written by police officers to 153.
Click to visit Police Writer
www.police-writers.com
Click to visit Police Writer
www.police-writers.com
Police Writers add author
Police Writers, a website dedicated to police officers who have written books added the 63rd author, Quintin Peterson of the Metropolitan Police Department, Washington DC. Peterson’s two books, “The Wages of Sin” and “Sin” bring the total number of listed books written by police officers to 152.
Click to visit Police Writers http://www.police-writers.com/
Click to visit Police Writers http://www.police-writers.com/
Friday, July 07, 2006
Hurricane and Disaster Planning Workshop for Law Enforcement and Emergency Planners
Dates: August 17, 2006
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Application Deadline: July 27, 2006
The National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center Southeast Region (NLECTC-Southeast), a program of the National Institute of Justice, and the University of South Carolina's Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice are sponsoring a Hurricane and Disaster Planning Workshop for August 17, 2006. The purpose of this one-day workshop is to bring representatives of agencies likely to experience a hurricane or similar disaster (natural or man-made), together with those who have experienced one to share solutions, discuss outstanding issues, and review current disaster plans. Attendees will gain insight into the hard lessons learned from past events, along with knowledge of model plans that have been developed from these experiences.
Application Form
Space is limited. Please download the application form and fax or mail the completed form to:
http://www.justnet.org/pdffiles/hurricane_workshop_2006.pdf
NLECTC-Southeast
Attn: Bill Deck
5300 International Blvd.
North Charleston, SC 29418
Fax: 843-207-5283
Tentative Agenda
0900-0930 Opening Remarks
University of South Carolina
NLECTC-Southeast
South Carolina Department of Public Safety
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
0930-1045 Definition of a Disaster
Experiences of the Slidell, Louisiana Police Department
Chief Freddy Drennan
1045-1115 Break
1115-1230 Law Enforcement Lessons Learned from Hurricane Katrina
Mike Smith and Jeff Rojek
University of South Carolina
1230-1400 Lunch (not provided)
1400-1600 Planning, Preparation, and Response to Disaster
Jim Madden, Florida Department of Law Enforcement
1600-1630 Questions and Closing Remarks
Freddy Drennan, Jim Madden, Jeff Rojek, and Mike Smith
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Application Deadline: July 27, 2006
The National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center Southeast Region (NLECTC-Southeast), a program of the National Institute of Justice, and the University of South Carolina's Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice are sponsoring a Hurricane and Disaster Planning Workshop for August 17, 2006. The purpose of this one-day workshop is to bring representatives of agencies likely to experience a hurricane or similar disaster (natural or man-made), together with those who have experienced one to share solutions, discuss outstanding issues, and review current disaster plans. Attendees will gain insight into the hard lessons learned from past events, along with knowledge of model plans that have been developed from these experiences.
Application Form
Space is limited. Please download the application form and fax or mail the completed form to:
http://www.justnet.org/pdffiles/hurricane_workshop_2006.pdf
NLECTC-Southeast
Attn: Bill Deck
5300 International Blvd.
North Charleston, SC 29418
Fax: 843-207-5283
Tentative Agenda
0900-0930 Opening Remarks
University of South Carolina
NLECTC-Southeast
South Carolina Department of Public Safety
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
0930-1045 Definition of a Disaster
Experiences of the Slidell, Louisiana Police Department
Chief Freddy Drennan
1045-1115 Break
1115-1230 Law Enforcement Lessons Learned from Hurricane Katrina
Mike Smith and Jeff Rojek
University of South Carolina
1230-1400 Lunch (not provided)
1400-1600 Planning, Preparation, and Response to Disaster
Jim Madden, Florida Department of Law Enforcement
1600-1630 Questions and Closing Remarks
Freddy Drennan, Jim Madden, Jeff Rojek, and Mike Smith
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
OSINT SOURCE
After a nearly 24 month hiatus IntellNet.org has been re-launched.Founded in early 2000 as a private project to more easily disseminate information, during the 4 years since its creation IntellNet proved itself to be a great source of knowledge. With today's re-launch, The Intelligence Network will stand upon the shoulders of giants in order to see further and push higher; expanding upon the very foundations of the U.S.Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) community.
According to Brooke Isoldi, general editor of the website, “It is with both humility and courage that we acknowledge those that not only came before, but after as well in what has become a global effort to achieve synergy with the flow of information. In the coming months, we will unveil initiatives designed to enhance and develop current and new capabilities as well as extend our reach into both existing and un-chartered territories. In line with these developments, I have placed the IntellNet website and The OSINT Group under the umbrella of The Intelligence Network where they will be autonomous divisions with similar methods and common goals. New divisions will be created as more initiatives are deployed and we will be increasingly in need of intelligent, savvy and thoughtful individuals to staff them. Additionally, The Intelligence Network will maintain an open door policy to any similar organizations willing to collaborate, on any level in order to further our common goals.”
According to Brooke Isoldi, general editor of the website, “It is with both humility and courage that we acknowledge those that not only came before, but after as well in what has become a global effort to achieve synergy with the flow of information. In the coming months, we will unveil initiatives designed to enhance and develop current and new capabilities as well as extend our reach into both existing and un-chartered territories. In line with these developments, I have placed the IntellNet website and The OSINT Group under the umbrella of The Intelligence Network where they will be autonomous divisions with similar methods and common goals. New divisions will be created as more initiatives are deployed and we will be increasingly in need of intelligent, savvy and thoughtful individuals to staff them. Additionally, The Intelligence Network will maintain an open door policy to any similar organizations willing to collaborate, on any level in order to further our common goals.”
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Police Writers gathered in one virtual location
Hi Tech Criminal Justice launched a website dedicated to police officers turned writers. According to CEO Raymond E. Foster, “Nearly everyone knows the work of Joseph Wambaugh, but how many know that police officers were writing books in the late nineteenth century?” Early police authors such as George Walling and August Vollmer were very influential on the development of American policing. Police authors writing in the late 20th century contributed to the field in areas such as domestic violence, sexual harassment, management, leadership and technology.
“In addition to the academic contributions, police officers have provided us with some of the best crime fiction,” Foster said. Who better to write in the mystery genre of the police procedural than the police officer. Police authors bring their training, experience and creativity to their work; giving the reader an authentic, insider’s view of human nature, crime and police procedures. Police authors like Dallas Barnes, Joseph Wambaugh and Paul Bishop write fiction from the perspective of someone who has seen, smelled, tasted and touched the crime scene.
While some police authors approach crime from an academic standpoint or a fictional point of view, others dissect real crime. There are no better guides through real crime than those who have spent years walking the walk. Crime reporters and journalists rely on police officers for information and interpretation of evidence and events. “A police authors cuts out the middleman or secondary interpreter, and gives the reader a first hand, first class storyteller,” Foster said.
An overriding factor in attracting people to the profession of policing is that every day is different. “Cops see every twist of human nature. They make order our of chaos when the world goes sideways; and, they often handle tense situations after dark and without a manual,” Foster noted. Simply put, police officers are choked full of the best and worst stories of humanity under pressure. The best police authors are able to take these “war stories” and weave them into an interesting and insightful look at America’s streets. These semi-biographical tales stand tall along side the academic, fictional and true crime. Foster added, “It would be a mistake to pigeon hole police authors in some narrow crime genre. Cops have written outstanding works from poetry to politics.”
According to Foster, the website currently has 60 police authors who have written over 140 books. In addition to being accessed by author name, they are categorized by police department (29) and by subject. Hi Tech Criminal Justice realizes this is an ongoing research project and encourages submission of authors not listed. The website and contact information can be access at www.police-writers.com
“In addition to the academic contributions, police officers have provided us with some of the best crime fiction,” Foster said. Who better to write in the mystery genre of the police procedural than the police officer. Police authors bring their training, experience and creativity to their work; giving the reader an authentic, insider’s view of human nature, crime and police procedures. Police authors like Dallas Barnes, Joseph Wambaugh and Paul Bishop write fiction from the perspective of someone who has seen, smelled, tasted and touched the crime scene.
While some police authors approach crime from an academic standpoint or a fictional point of view, others dissect real crime. There are no better guides through real crime than those who have spent years walking the walk. Crime reporters and journalists rely on police officers for information and interpretation of evidence and events. “A police authors cuts out the middleman or secondary interpreter, and gives the reader a first hand, first class storyteller,” Foster said.
An overriding factor in attracting people to the profession of policing is that every day is different. “Cops see every twist of human nature. They make order our of chaos when the world goes sideways; and, they often handle tense situations after dark and without a manual,” Foster noted. Simply put, police officers are choked full of the best and worst stories of humanity under pressure. The best police authors are able to take these “war stories” and weave them into an interesting and insightful look at America’s streets. These semi-biographical tales stand tall along side the academic, fictional and true crime. Foster added, “It would be a mistake to pigeon hole police authors in some narrow crime genre. Cops have written outstanding works from poetry to politics.”
According to Foster, the website currently has 60 police authors who have written over 140 books. In addition to being accessed by author name, they are categorized by police department (29) and by subject. Hi Tech Criminal Justice realizes this is an ongoing research project and encourages submission of authors not listed. The website and contact information can be access at www.police-writers.com
Stolen VA Laptop Turned in to FBI
By Steven Donald Smith
WASHINGTON, June 29, 2006 – The stolen Department of Veterans Affairs laptop computer and hard drive containing the personal information of more than 26 million veterans were turned in to the FBI yesterday, the Veterans Affairs secretary said before Congress today. Reports indicate that the FBI has made a preliminary determination that data contained on the computer and hard drive has not been accessed.
There have been no reports of identity theft or other criminal activity related to the stolen computer, R. James Nicholson told the House Veterans Affairs Committee. He added that the VA would still honor its promise of free credit monitoring for a year. An unnamed individual turned over the laptop and hard drive to FBI officials in Baltimore. No persons are in custody at this time, officials said.
The laptop and hard drive were stolen from the Montgomery County, Md., home of a VA employee on May 3. Government officials do not believe the data on the laptop was the target of the burglary, and consider the break-in a random theft. "This has brought to the light of day some real deficiencies in the manner we handled personal data," Nicholson said. "If there's a redeeming part of this, I think we can turn this around."
WASHINGTON, June 29, 2006 – The stolen Department of Veterans Affairs laptop computer and hard drive containing the personal information of more than 26 million veterans were turned in to the FBI yesterday, the Veterans Affairs secretary said before Congress today. Reports indicate that the FBI has made a preliminary determination that data contained on the computer and hard drive has not been accessed.
There have been no reports of identity theft or other criminal activity related to the stolen computer, R. James Nicholson told the House Veterans Affairs Committee. He added that the VA would still honor its promise of free credit monitoring for a year. An unnamed individual turned over the laptop and hard drive to FBI officials in Baltimore. No persons are in custody at this time, officials said.
The laptop and hard drive were stolen from the Montgomery County, Md., home of a VA employee on May 3. Government officials do not believe the data on the laptop was the target of the burglary, and consider the break-in a random theft. "This has brought to the light of day some real deficiencies in the manner we handled personal data," Nicholson said. "If there's a redeeming part of this, I think we can turn this around."
Thursday, June 15, 2006
“Dirty Bomb” Attack: Assessing New York City’s Level of Preparedness from a First Responder’s Perspective
By John Sudnik
Deputy Chief, Fire Department City of New York (FDNY)
Past history and recent intelligence have shown that New York City (NYC), a critical node of the U.S. economy, is clearly in the terrorist’s crosshairs. In order to reduce the probability, lessen the risk, and minimize the consequences of a Radiological Dispersion Device (RDD), or “dirty bomb,” attack, NYC’s first responders must be adequately prepared for its seemingly inevitable occurrence. This particular type of attack on NYC has the potential to create immense panic and confusion on behalf of the general public. Adding to the complexity of the problem is the notion that, since 9/11, the expected actions taken by employees in NYC high-rise office buildings in response to shelter-in-place instructions can be extremely difficult to predict. Therefore, a proposed public awareness campaign and a shelter-in-place plan are two cost-effective and easily implemented terrorism preparedness programs that would build the confidence and increase the capability of the citizenry. Since an RDD incident would likely result in a major inter-agency emergency operation, the unification of command, control, and coordination among NYC’s first responder community is an essential element to its overall success. Hence, an informed and collaborative response by both public and private sector entities could potentially reduce casualties and save lives.
Download a copy of the report
Deputy Chief, Fire Department City of New York (FDNY)
Past history and recent intelligence have shown that New York City (NYC), a critical node of the U.S. economy, is clearly in the terrorist’s crosshairs. In order to reduce the probability, lessen the risk, and minimize the consequences of a Radiological Dispersion Device (RDD), or “dirty bomb,” attack, NYC’s first responders must be adequately prepared for its seemingly inevitable occurrence. This particular type of attack on NYC has the potential to create immense panic and confusion on behalf of the general public. Adding to the complexity of the problem is the notion that, since 9/11, the expected actions taken by employees in NYC high-rise office buildings in response to shelter-in-place instructions can be extremely difficult to predict. Therefore, a proposed public awareness campaign and a shelter-in-place plan are two cost-effective and easily implemented terrorism preparedness programs that would build the confidence and increase the capability of the citizenry. Since an RDD incident would likely result in a major inter-agency emergency operation, the unification of command, control, and coordination among NYC’s first responder community is an essential element to its overall success. Hence, an informed and collaborative response by both public and private sector entities could potentially reduce casualties and save lives.
Download a copy of the report
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
More Sex Offenders Tracked by Satellite
"More Sex Offenders Tracked by Satellite"
USA Today (06/07/06) P. 3A; Koch, Wendy
Wisconsin has joined the growing list of states, now numbering at least 24, using GPS technology to track released sex offenders, many for life. The technology is now capable of monitoring a parolee's position to within 30 feet and can alert officers when a trackee has entered an "exclusion zone" at a fraction of the cost it takes to maintain prison inmates or track offenders using other methods. Some states even require offenders to foot the bill for tracking. Analysis conducted by the Florida Department of Corrections in late 2004 showed a 3.8 recidivism rate among offenders tracked with GPS within two years, compared to 7.7 percent for those not tracked with the technology. Meanwhile, lawmakers in the U.S. Senate and House have each approved a measure that would provide federal funding for GPS tracking.
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techinnovations/2006-06-06-gps-tracking_x.htm
USA Today (06/07/06) P. 3A; Koch, Wendy
Wisconsin has joined the growing list of states, now numbering at least 24, using GPS technology to track released sex offenders, many for life. The technology is now capable of monitoring a parolee's position to within 30 feet and can alert officers when a trackee has entered an "exclusion zone" at a fraction of the cost it takes to maintain prison inmates or track offenders using other methods. Some states even require offenders to foot the bill for tracking. Analysis conducted by the Florida Department of Corrections in late 2004 showed a 3.8 recidivism rate among offenders tracked with GPS within two years, compared to 7.7 percent for those not tracked with the technology. Meanwhile, lawmakers in the U.S. Senate and House have each approved a measure that would provide federal funding for GPS tracking.
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techinnovations/2006-06-06-gps-tracking_x.htm
Friday, June 02, 2006
Urban Areas Security Initiative
Discussion of the FY 2006 Risk Methodology and the Urban Areas Security Initiative
The FY 2006 DHS risk methodology represents a major step forward in the analysis of the risk of terrorism faced by our Nations communities. Tremendous gains have been made in both the quality and specificity of information and analysis incorporated within the model, yielding the most accurate estimation possible of the relative risk of prospective grant candidates. The methodology is designed to inform a policy decision regarding the allocation and investment of Federal grant funding, and should not be confused with an estimate of absolute risk faced by candidate areas.
READ ON
The FY 2006 DHS risk methodology represents a major step forward in the analysis of the risk of terrorism faced by our Nations communities. Tremendous gains have been made in both the quality and specificity of information and analysis incorporated within the model, yielding the most accurate estimation possible of the relative risk of prospective grant candidates. The methodology is designed to inform a policy decision regarding the allocation and investment of Federal grant funding, and should not be confused with an estimate of absolute risk faced by candidate areas.
READ ON
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