Savannah-Chatham Metro police are crediting a high-tech tool for helping them put criminals behind bars. It's called a mobile data terminal. There are 38 units in Downtown and Central precinct cruisers. And the department is getting 154 more of them, using a $750,000 COPS grant from 2006.
"It just nails them, time after time after time," explains Sergeant David Owens.
It - is this mobile data terminal.
Them - the crooks Savannah-Chatham Metro police collar.
"To me it's been one of the most valuable tools in catching bad guys, and increasing the officer's work product."
Because with a few clicks, Sergeant Owens can run a license plate, do a warrant search or write an accident report.
"All the records management systems, even an inter-agency multistate records system, is available to the officer, with color pictures, in the car!"
Access to information - Owens says - means less time on the radio, and a quicker response to crime.
"They've been working on reports and see a car go by - and say, look at the tag, and BOOM hit enter - and get an immediate response on the tag. "
Officers will soon be able to sync up with the department's surveillance camera system!
"There's a couple of lines here and there that need to be connected to get total functionality."
So is the $750,000 price tag for this technology worth it?
"Absolutely. I can't tell you how many armed robbers, rapists, people wanted on violent warrants that are 2,3 years old that these computers have caught and took off the street."
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