In an effort to streamline law-enforcement efforts, increase the safety of city residents and visitors, as well as police officers, and ensure fairness within the city’s criminal justice system, Mayor Bill de Blasio and top city law-enforcement officials last week unveiled a program that will provide NYPD officers with up to 41,000 mobile devices, including tablet computers and handheld devices.
The $160 million NYPD Mobility Initiative, developed through criminal-asset forfeiture funds secured by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, will upgrade the NYPD’s mobile technology platform and fund it over the next three years, according to the Mayor’s Office. It will allow the department to outfit up to 6,000 police cars with ruggedized tablet computers, as well as provide 35,000 handheld devices to every police officer. The devices will provide cops with a variety of tools, including state-of-the-art terror and crime-fighting technologies that have been developed in the last decade.
“We must have 21st Century tools to deal with 21st Century threats, and this infusion of new resources will arm our officers with the technology and information they need to fight crime and protect the city against terrorism more efficiently and more effectively,” de Blasio said. “In an emergency, every minute counts and this initiative will allow our officers in the field to get up-to-date, accurate information and process critical information anywhere in the city.”
The new Mobility technology will also include enhanced patrol efficiencies; officer safety features; detective support; direct and decentralized communications, such as Wanted posters and Amber Alerts; enhanced email communication; and counterterrorism force multiplier, which would allow for the prompt alert of officers in the field to possible counterterrorism issues.
Additionally, it’s expected that further functionality will be added to the platform next year, including the integration of fingerprint scanning to support in-field identity checks.
“The timely access to critical information is key to effective policing and enhanced public safety,” Bratton said. “This initiative will clearly result in more efficient crime-fighting, counter-terrorism measures, and service to the people of New York City.”
For Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance, the “significant investment will immeasurably enhance law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
“Whether preventing everyday street crime or a potential act of terrorism,” he continued, “this will enable officers to better protect New Yorkers, while at the same time creating a fairer criminal justice system.”
By Forum Staff
