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Cops gain computer access for patrol cars photo by Drew Fleming By Joanna Collins Medford cops are finally getting wired next month, and we�re not talking about a coffee- and-doughnuts buzz. Laptops are being installed in the police department�s patrol cars, allowing officers to keep in contact through e-mail and access criminal and DMV records on the spot. The laptops are the first phase of a move toward more use of electronic assistance by Southern Oregon law enforcement. Portland has had a similar system in place for almost 15 years. More tech advances Medford police plan many other technological advances over the next two years, including: Hand-held computers, with access to DMV and crime records, for detectives and traffic officers. A computer system that tracks items bought by pawn shops. Digital cameras for taking and storing crime-scene pictures. A photo radar system to catch speeders. A photo system to catch red-light runners. Computerized ticket-writing devices that print out a copy for the violator and store the data for later use by police and courts. Vehicle locators that tell where an officer is at all times. "We�re going to skyrocket in our utilizing of technology," says Deputy Chief Ron Norris. Currently, area police officers learn about arrest warrants or suspended licenses through dispatchers. With the new system, they can do their own research on law breakers with the touch of an icon on the screen. "It takes a real load off the dispatchers," says Lt. Craig Amann, one of the prime movers behind the project. Two years ago, Norris started researching "mobile data computer systems." Amann joined in about 18 months ago. Also in assistance was Tom Crane from the city�s Information Services Department. By the end of October, they hope to have 24 Panasonic Toughbooks � the same laptops used in military tanks � up and running in patrol cars. "They streamline the way we do business," says Norris, "which allows the officer more time for policing." The computers attach to a rotating arm from the passenger-side dashboard called a docking station. They�re powered through the vehicle battery, or their own rechargeable batteries. A device that looks like a silver credit card with an antenna sends signals from the computer to a larger transmitter in the trunk. Information is then sent on by way of cellular transmission � using the same Medford cell towers people use for their cell phones. But access to e-mail and national criminal databases is just the first phase of four involving the mobile systems. Phase 2 involves hooking officers to a computer-aided dispatch system that was put in place last April. Police hope to have the connection running smoothly by April 2001. The system will allow dispatchers to give patrol officers non-emergency assignments through their laptops instead of over the radio. With a simple push of a button, officers can acknowledge receiving the assignment and notify dispatchers when they arrive and leave the scene. Sergeants can also check out what cases are being handled by officers. "The goal is to reduce the amount of air traffic," says Norris. He says that dispatch is often too overloaded to handle everything in a timely manner. The third and fourth phases involve officers writing reports on their laptops and transmitting them electronically to the records department, eventually eliminating paper records. The goal for all four phases to be complete a year from now. "This is our first milestone," says Norris. Norris said it was difficult to choose a computer and software vendor � he compares it to dealing with car salesmen. The department�s final choice was Cerulean, a company that designs programs especially for police; the software cost $139,000. The police are contracting with AT&T for the cellular air time � unlimited minutes at $49 a month per 24 units, a total of $1,176 a month. The 24 laptops cost $4,800 each; the money for the mobile computer system is coming from federal grants and city funds. Norris and Amann see their hard work as a stepping stone for other local law enforcement agencies to get mobile computer data systems. "Our goal is to bring on other agencies as they can afford it," says Norris. Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA