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Press Release
Crime fighting gets tech boost Westchase District adds equipment to vehicles Two Westchase District patrol vehicles are now equipped with mobile data terminals that put Westchase District officers in constant communication with their colleagues in the Houston Police Department. The two portable laptop computers, which cost a total of $15,000 and were paid for by the district, are mounted to a docking station inside the vehicles and connected to the Houston Police Department's dispatch system. "Our officers can see what calls are being dispatched by HPD instantaneously," said Mike Cummings, public safety director of the Westchase District. The officers also can access state and national crime databases, giving them driver's license and motor vehicle information, plus criminal histories, he said. "Our officers can access the exact same information while they are on duty for Westchase District that they have available to them when they're on duty for HPD," Cummings said. "They know immediately what calls are being reported in Westchase District and they can respond more quickly. "With better information, they'll provide better public safety services with increased officer safety," Cummings said. Jim Murphy, president of the Westchase District, said the new equipment will help put residents' minds at ease. "HPD would usually assign a low priority to trespassers, vagrants, skateboarders and the like," Murphy said. "But when these calls are dispatched on the (mobile data terminals), our officers will be able to respond quickly and that is what our property owners want." The Houston Police Department supports the district's efforts to provide an enhanced public safety patrol in the area, Cummings said. "They realize we're helping them here in this area," said Cummings. Houston Police Sgt. Jimmy Jones said HPD has agreements with Westchase and other districts to provide mutual aid when needed. "The equipment provides the Westchase officers the same type of technology the Houston Police Department has been using for years," Jones said. "It benefits both of us. They can check to see what's going on and they could help our units." |
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