Suozzi and Lawrence: GPS Installation in Police Vehicles
Aimed at Improving Officer Safety & Response Time
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Mineola, N.Y. - In an effort to improve officer safety, response time and deploy resources more effectively, Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi and Police Commissioner James Lawrence today announced that the police department has installed Global Positional Service (GPS) devices in 207 marked patrol vehicles.
The technological upgrade of the police department’s fleet will include cars that are assigned to patrol neighborhoods as well as supervisor vehicles in the eight precincts and Highway Patrol.
In addition, mapping stations have been installed at all radio dispatch consoles, the communications bureau operations desk and at the supervisors’ work stations in all eight precincts and at Highway Patrol. Officers are currently being trained on the capabilities and use of the GPS devices. The mapping software allows live views of the locations of all active units.
“This is a major upgrade of the Police Department’s communication system that will greatly enhance police efficiency,” said Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. “GPS is another step in our ongoing effort to give our officers the tools they need to keep Nassau County the safest municipality of its size in the country.”
“The GPS devices will go a long way to ensure that officers remain safe and that we continue to provide the people of Nassau County with the best service possible,” said Commissioner Lawrence. “Our radio dispatchers and precinct desk officers will be able to monitor both patrol cars and supervisor vehicles and when emergency calls come in, dispatchers will be able to determine the quickest response time, based upon the locations of our officers.”
Nassau County Comptroller Howard S. Weitzman said, “I want to congratulate County Executive Suozzi and Police Commissioner Lawrence on this important public safety initiative. The use of GPS in every police vehicle, which we recommended in our 2004 audit of the NCPD Communications Bureau, will help save time and lives. Thanks to this technology upgrade, Nassau police should be able to improve response times by identifying instantly which patrols are closest to the scene of an emergency or crime.”
The system will also incorporate the Police Department’s Computer Aided Dispatch System, which is scheduled to be implemented this April. This system will support navigation features that will assist units in getting to assignment locations more quickly and easily.
The GPS project cost $532,000, which was funded by using forfeiture funds. The Nassau County Police Department’s Asset Forfeiture Unit ensures that those who commit crimes do not profit from their illegal activities. The proceeds and instrumentalities of criminal activities are seized and used to fund operations such as the installation of the GPS devices.
