MDC System now in Plattekill
December 15, 2006
Captain Harry VanVliet IV, director of the Sheriff’s Mobile Data Computer (MDC) system program
announces a fourth municipal law enforcement agency has “plugged-into” the Sheriff’s
high-tech laptop system. In a partnership with Town Supervisor Bruce Loertscher, the town’s Plattekill Police Department has installed two high-performance laptops into town police cruisers,
which are linked wirelessly to the Sheriff’s Mobile Data Server system located at the Ulster County
Law Enforcement Center in Kingston. Plattekill police officers can now communicate with and
share information with sheriff’s deputies and detectives, along with MDC users Shawangunk, Rosendale, and Ellenville Police Departments.
The Sheriff’s Mobile Data Computer System provides mobile users with a powerful and rugged mobile laptop computer, connected to a high-speed wireless data modem that accesses several law enforcement databases including the FBI, nationwide Dept. of Motor Vehicle files, and the state Division of Criminal Justice Services, without the user having to request that information from a dispatcher.
This opportunity is made possible using U.S. Community Oriented Policing (COPS) federal technology grants. Since 1999, VanVliet has secured a total of $480,735.00 (including this award) for investment into the Sheriff’s state-of-the-art MDC infrastructure system, of which only $58,519 being county funds. This implementation of Mobile Data Computers and AVL catapults participating municipal police agencies onto the cutting-edge of law enforcement mobile data technology.
The primary goal under this third federal grant project is the integration of interested law enforcement municipalities (towns, city & villages) into the Sheriff’s current MDC system. This goal is accomplished by providing municipal police with powerful, hi-speed laptop equipment for access to the Sheriff’s MDC system servers, thereby providing access to a shared database
Captain VanVliet plans to enhance information sharing among participating law enforcement by providing the following technology to interested municipal law enforcement:
- Powerful, ruggedized mobile laptops with related mounting hardware;
- High-speed wireless data modems to connect laptops to databases;
- Automatic Vehicle Locator software to track police patrols for safety;
- Hand-held scanners and thermal printers for electronic ticketing and accident reports completion in police cruisers;
- Software programs and applicable licensing fees for the MDC system.
The Sheriff’s MDC system recently migrated to a higher-speed wireless modem connection. This enhanced wireless connection between the cruiser’s laptop computer and the Sheriff’s MDC server will transmit data by cellular signal in compressed packets at speeds equivalent to broadband internet service. This cellular wireless infrastructure also allows a user to remain connected anywhere there is a cellular signal.
Automatic Vehicle Locator System
The Sheriff’s Mobile Data Computer system infrastructure also includes an innovative Automatic Vehicle Locator, often referred to as “AVL”. The computer modem used with the laptops contains a GPS module which calculates the patrol car location using Global Positioning Satellites (GPS). The modem transfers unit locations via the modem to a large color map in the Sheriff’s Communications room. This innovative technology enhances the safety of officers in the field and provides a tool for the dispatcher to quickly determine the nearest available police unit to a call for service. In addition, each car computer is loaded with this technology, allowing officers in the field to see each other's pinpointed location.
Users will have the ability to monitor patrol routines and patrol zone assignments. During a high-risk situation, supervisors can strategically move patrol units to critical areas based on map readings. Reports are also available to the supervisor, which indicate locations, idle and active times and speeds of the units.
Media Questions:
Plattekill Supervisor Bruce Loertscher @ (845) 883-5941 or (845) 566-9350
Or Captain Harry VanVliet IV @ 845-334-8333