STAYIN’MOBILE Advanced computers enhance Burke deputies’ mobility BY BRIAN GRAVES June 23, 2013, The Sunday News Herald MORGANTON The Burke County Sheriff’s Department is going hightech, a move designed to make law enforcement more efficient and more effective. The Burke County commissioners’ recently adopted budget contains $214,000 to equip county patrol cars with Mobile Data Terminals and Mobile Field Reporting computers. “I know they had some very tough decisions to make this year, and I could not be more grateful they recognized the substantial benefits having this technology will make in our efforts keeping the county safe,” Sheriff Steve Whisenant said. “I really give the commissioners credit for continuously supporting us having these tools.” The sheriff explained that an MDT is a computer in a car. “One of the things that I have really tried to get for the department is an enhancement of our technology.” Whisenant said. “That has been one of the primary tools that can have a significant impact on efficiency and effectiveness.” He said the computers tie into multiple databases where officers can run tag numbers, make their own records checks, see how many times they have reported to a specific address and even obtain information about a dangerous dog that might be at a scene. “This is information we don’t have to go back and forth on the radio with, and these days many people monitor the scanner traffic, including the criminals,” Whisenant said. The department already is partially equipped with the computers, and the sheriff recalled an incident where they really paid off. “We were assisting the Valdese police with a break-in. A man had come home and there were two people in his house. They ran, and Valdese asked for assistance,” he recalled. “We got there, along with the Highway Patrol and the Valdese police, and apprehended one fairly quickly. But one had to be chased with a dog.” Whisenant said there were 10 officers on the scene and they stayed for several hours. “Two detectives came, and one of them had an MDT. They get on that and, using all the databases and social networks, were able to figure out the second suspect may be located,” he said. “When we get there, we find stolen property for four break-ins and solve multiple break-ins.” He said the dog had lost the suspect’s track and, without the technology, the officers would not have known where to go in their search. “Within 15 minutes, those two detectives were able to get that information. That’s the kind of efficiency and effectiveness that make these MDTs invaluable,” Whisenant said. He added that if a car was being driven by someone who may be on a lookout list, when an officer runs the tag number it automatically flashes on all of the department’s patrol car MDTs and informs all the officers about what is happening. Another benefit of the in-car terminals is allowing the officers to perform the mobile field reporting. “When you have an officer out in the county who does not have this tool to write a report, they have to either leave their area early at the end of the shift to fill out what might be several reports or they stay late to do those duties,” the sheriff said. “This technology gives them the ability to sit at a church, school, parking lot or anywhere in a patrol area and do those reports. They can still be effectively on patrol in their areas while at the same time sending reports electronically to their supervisor.” ________________________________________ BRIAN GRAVES/THE NEWS HERALD Burke County Sheriff Steve Whisenant uses his Mobile Data Terminal to get information while in his car. The entire patrol force will soon be equipped with the same technology. He said information from the reports is automatically placed into the law enforcement database. “What we have basically been doing is having to do the reports two or three times, getting to a final version,” Whisenant said. “I am very excited to be able to implement the mobile reporting where it is sent electronically from the scene. It’s going to be a big savings in time and transportation as well as more active patrolling time.” The terminals also serve as mapping devices. “When a dispatcher calls in with an address, the officer clicks on the call and there is a map showing the location,” Whisenant said. Another new technology that is being developed will allow suspects to be transported to the Burke/ Catawba Detention Facility where they will be able to face a judge through video conferencing. That will preclude suspects from being taken back and forth— potentially several trips— between the facility and the courthouse. “We can take the inmates to Burke/Catawba, the judge will go to the courtroom, the inmates will then be taken to a specific video area and have the first appearance, that way eliminating a lot of transportation,” Whisenant said. “It is much more efficient ... much more secure and safer,” he said. He said the department will also explore the ability to get inmates before a magistrate to set bonds using the same method. Whisenant said having good relations with other agencies is important to law enforcement, but the new tools of the trade give those partnerships even stronger bonds. “Technology is what makes you effective and efficient, and that’s where we are going,” Whisenant said.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Jun 2013 23:35:19 +0000
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