NCJ Number
201622
Date Published
July 2003
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article discusses computer-aided policing initiatives, the Justice Department’s Safe Neighborhoods Project CeaseFire in Charleston, SC, and the Iowa Department of Transportation’s use of TraCS.
Abstract
The Justice Department’s Safe Neighborhoods Project CeaseFire in Charleston, SC is designed to reduce gun violence in designated areas using new technology as well as traditional law enforcement concepts. Four component parts of the project operate in mutual support in order to achieve this goal. The first component is a unified law enforcement task force consisting of Federal, State, and local prosecutors and law enforcement officers closely coordinated with tactical police units operating within targeted urban areas. The second component is incident analysis and mapping. Data pertaining to violent crimes, firearms offenses, and drug-related incidents are collected and automated to create a comprehensive area crime analysis map, with an overlay of related drug trafficking activity. The third component is a state-of-the art gunfire detection system. This system identifies gunfire and triangulates its location to within 20 to 40 feet. This information is displayed on a computerized map and reaction teams in targeted areas are notified to immediately respond to the location. The fourth component comprises advertising through print, radio, and television media to get out the message to deter individuals from carrying or using weapons illegally. In 1994, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) took the lead in developing TraCS (Traffic and Criminal Software) to reduce paperwork and improve data collection. Using the software, agencies can now create their own local databases and transmit reports electronically to DOT, making the information available the next day. This allows for better data collection and quicker implementation of safety modifications. In addition, TraCS has the potential to generate enormous savings for other agencies. Because Iowa owns the source code for TraCS, the State is able to provide the software to other States and agencies at no charge. More than 15 additional States are in the process of implementing TraCS for some or all of their law enforcement agencies. Even though Iowa developed and owns the software, representatives of all the participating States gather to discuss modifications and future development priorities for the software. TraCS’s combination of current technology and ease of use has earned it several awards.