NCJ Number
123758
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 57 Issue: 4 Dated: (April 1990) Pages: 36,37-40,42-44
Date Published
1990
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Parking citations produced by handheld computers are more efficient, accurate, and legible than handwritten citations of the past.
Abstract
These computers are small and light enough to hold in one hand while inputting necessary information with the other hand. Upon completion, the citation produced by the printer in the handheld computer is placed on the windshield of the vehicle. The citation information is stored as citations are generated and electronically unloaded at the end of the shift to a host personal computer which transfers electronically to the agency's main processing computer. Another feature of the total parking citation program is the capability for storing and accessing lists of stolen vehicles while issuing a citation in the field. Public opinion has been generally positive regarding the computer-generated citations; inquiries to the parking enforcement office concerning illegible citations have decreased dramatically; and productivity increases have been cited by some cities. The time saved by the handheld computers has primarily been in "out-of-service" time, decreasing the time spent correcting and voiding citations.