Public Safety Technology in the News

Jet Added as Houston Police Training Tool
MyFoxHouston.com, (07/19/2010), Andrea Watkins
In July, the Houston Police Department became the first in the country to
begin using a decommissioned U.S. Air Force Boeing 737 for training exercises.
The scenarios will not involve flight, but rather will simulate situations that
officers might face at one of Houston’s three major airports. The Air Force
retains ownership of the aircraft but has granted full use of the jet to the
Houston Police Department. Training scenarios planned for the SWAT team include
bomb detection, hostage situations and other potential terrorist activities.
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Baltimore Police Publish Mug Shots Via Cell Phone
Baltimore Sun, (07/20/2010), Peter Hermann
The Baltimore Police Department has begun sending mug shots of wanted
individuals directly to the cell phones of citizens who sign up for the service,
making the city agency one of the few that uses instant communication via social
media to keep residents current on breaking crime news. Many departments around
the country use social media to make announcements and publicize press releases,
but few use it to provide updates on crimes (such as shootings) in real time.
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Port of Providence Installs Chemical Detection System
SecurityInfoWatch.com, (07/21/2010)
Providence, R.I., city administrators have announced plans to install a new
chemical-detection sensor system in the city’s port to alert public safety
agencies to possible chemical hazards. Funded through a $593,000 competitive
U.S. Department of Homeland Security grant, the system will provide first
responders with information to help them accurately evaluate potential threats.
The sensors continuously monitor the air and detect and identify a wide range of
chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals. The new system will be
integrated into the existing video surveillance system.
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N.J., Virginia Federal Prisons Use Solar Power to Cut Energy Use,
Greenhouse Emissions
Associated Press, (07/20/2010)
Constellation Energy and federal correctional facilities in Fairton, N.J.,
and Petersburg, Va., will work together to trim both energy use and greenhouse
gas emissions through implementation of solar power, smart energy controls,
electric vehicles and other technology advances. Savings are estimated at more
than 25 percent at both facilities.
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Blinding Laser Beam Newest Police Tool
King 5 News.com, (07/20/2010), Linda Byron
The Dazer Laser, a powerful laser gun that can temporarily blind and
disorient an individual using a large modulating pool of green light, is one of
the newest less-than-lethal weapons to be offered for possible inclusion in the
law enforcement equipment package. It is being promoted as a safe alternative to
Tasers and pepper spray. The devices require minimal training and are supposed
to be equally effective for day and night use, from distances ranging from three
feet to 1.5 miles. The manufacturer says the device, which will be available
within the next month, does not cause eye damage. Dazer Lasers require a
security code to activate and will not be sold to the public.
Link to Article

Statewide Website Tracks Sex Offenders
Madison Courier, (07/24/2010), Renee Bruck
Sheriff’s offices in the 92 counties in Indiana have launched OffenderWatch,
a new website for tracking sex offenders. The site went into statewide use July
1. The Indiana Sheriffs’ Association sponsors the new website, which is updated
daily, and allows users to search and determine whether any sex offenders live
within a two-mile radius of a specified address. Citizens may also sign up for
e-mail alerts that let them know if an offenders moves within a mile of
registered address.
Link to Article

New Map Helps Track Crime in Panama City Beach
The Walton Sun, (07/25/2010), Felicia Kitzmiller
One of the latest additions to the growing number of law enforcement agencies
nationwide to sign up for CrimesReports.com is the Panama City (Fla.) Police
Department, which makes the location of a crime, its case number and the date
available to citizens who search the service. The service is expected to not
only keep citizens better informed but also to aid law enforcement by generating
more tips and providing them with a tool to track crimes and identify trends.
Data is automatically uploaded on a daily basis. Some crimes, such as those
actively under investigation, traffic citations and sex crimes, are not
included.
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Police to Use New Alert System Via Text Message
Westport Patch, (07/28/2010), Liz Mitchell
On Aug. 1, the Westport (Conn.) Police Department will implement a new
community information service, created by Nixle, LLC, that provides information
to citizens via e-mail and text messages. The Nixle services offers
neighborhood-level public safety and community event notices, with users
electing to receive them through the Internet, e-mail, text messages or by
logging onto http://www.nixle.com/ and reading the notices. There is no charge for the
service although standard text messaging rates apply. In the past year, the
department had also added Internet reporting and up-to-date crime data online.
Link to Article

Verizon Intros Telehealth for Prisons
InformationWeek, (08/02/2010), Nicole Lewis
Verizon Telehealth Collaboration for Prisons will offer telehealth solutions
that use equipment ranging from desktop webcams to high-definition and immersive
video to conduct videoconferencing and expand inmate access to care via remote
monitoring devices. This service will provide near-real time access and reduce
transportation costs, improving access to healthcare professionals and speeding
diagnosis. The service is available immediately through various outlets.
Link to Article

Airport Police Use Growing Fleet of Robots to Ferret Out Bombs
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, (08/02/2010), Kelly YamanouchiAtlanta’s Hartfield-Jackson International Airport has announced plans to
add a bomb disposal robot that can maneuver its way through narrow airplane
aisles to check under seats and in overhead bins for explosives. Funding for the
$300,000 device came from a U.S. Department of Homeland Security grant. The
airport has been using robots since 1996, prior to the city’s hosting the
Olympics. The newest addition can climb stairs, get into tight spaces and reach
into overhead bins.
Link to Article