The Boston Police Department received a fair amount of national press this week as the latest law enforcement organization to accept crime tips via text message. Boston's system generates automated messages asking questions about crime categories, descriptions of suspects, weapon types, and other details.Boston and other cities also send out different levels of text messages regarding recent crimes. Some cities, for example, send out AMBER alerts, or descriptions of recently-stolen vehicles, or suspects wanted in violent crimes. Amsterdam police tried a program where they sent "this is a stolen cell phone" messages to stolen phones so frequently that the phones were virtually unusable.
Cell phone text messages usually cost the receiver money. Some (but not many) carriers have special programs allowing for no-cost text messages from government agencies. (Note: the City of Kissimmee plans a pilot program to test emergency alerts to local residents who opt-in.)
For discussion:
1. Would you like some way to send a written (non-emergency) report to the local police? (For example, text message or e-mail.)
1. Would you like some way to send a written (non-emergency) report to the local police? (For example, text message or e-mail.)
2. Would you sign up to receive crime alerts from your local law enforcement agency? Would you be willing to pay text message fees for those messages?
WFTV also reported on Tuesday about a pilot program used by the Orange County Sheriff's Department to remotely monitor security cameras at locations targeted by their nuisance abatement unit. Deputies have the ability to remotely monitor the cameras over the Internet. The cameras are purchased by the business owners, not the county.
3. (Bonus question)...if your home or business has security cameras, would you be willing to let local law enforcement remotely access your cameras?
2 comments:
I would have to say that this is not a system that we need to look at this point. For your first item, e-mail itself has become unreliable, we seem to be struggling with the number of police on the force, and this idea also creates an opening for abuse that could distrupt the communications center.
You second point I would also have to say no to at this time. If we have that much crime going on in the area, I think we should focus on more officers before we look a more ways to tell people how bad crime has become.
Af for your third question, I would hope we do not have to turn to this issue in the City of Kissimmee. But if they are doing this in the Orlando area, then I would say we just move ahead with red light cameras.
I hope you are ready for that tax fight because the Kissimmee has a budget that is circulating. It makes for good reading if you like comedies.
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