Dec 28, 2006 11:57 am US/Central
Dallas Squad Cars Receive High-Tech Upgrade
by Jack Fink
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
The Dallas Police Department is now the largest force in the nation to install state-of-the-art technology in its squad cars. Since this past summer, the department has been equipping digital cameras and new computers in about 500 squad cars, more than half of its fleet.
Dallas officer Michael Dominguez, who has been with the force for six years, now has high-tech help as he patrols the city's criminal hotspots. "It's a good system," he said.
By the end of January, 12 vehicles used for Operation Disruption, which targets high crime areas, will also give officers access to the internet, and a new database that shows mugshots and records from the Dallas County Jail. "We encounter suspects all the time that lie about their name, and they don't have their ID on them, or use a cousin or brother's name, and a lot of times, we have to take their word. But with the AIS system, we can see if that's really them," Dominguez explained.
With a wireless broadband card, a major incident (like a high-speed chase) could be beamed back to supervisors while it is taking place. Lt. Gene Summers in the department's technology and technical support unit said, "Being able to let management of the Dallas Police Department view that video live from the scene so they can help make better management decisions about what we should do."
The new system not only has a camera pointing out of the vehicle, but also in the squad car's backseat. So, when suspects are arrested, their actions and conversations can be recorded on video. Officer Dominguez said, "We've actually had prisoners in the car which we've actually recorded while we're not in the car. They made incriminating statements about drugs, guns, locations, who they belong to, where they were supposed to go."
The Caruth Foundation gave a $5 million grant to pay for much of the equipment. The City of Dallas also spent nearly $2 million.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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