dwasson
01-20-2006, 02:05 PM
From: http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2006/01/19/keenes_police_computers_clash_ with_dunkin_donuts_system/?rss_id=Boston.com+/+News
January 19, 2006
KEENE, N.H. --Sometimes, using the Dunkin' Donuts drive-through can be a risky venture for Keene police officers.
The officers' in-car police computers interfere with the restaurant's computers. Officers need to disable their computer modems to avoid interfering with the Dunkin' Donuts computer system.
Police use the in-car systems to check on license plates and people's criminal records. They also can file incident and arrest reports from their cars. The computers communicate with the police station on a radio network.
There are other problems with the setup, as well. Keene Police Sgt. Eliezer Rivera said the computer network doesn't reach all parts of the city and it's only as fast as a dial-up Internet connection.
The City Council is proposing a faster, more extensive wireless network to make things easier. Other departments and Keene's school system also might be able to use it.
"The spottiness is the root of the problem," said Rebecca Landry, Keene's director of information management. Police should know right away if, for example, they are dealing with a stolen car, she said.
If the council approves the project, installation of the new system could start as soon as next fall.
That means police could have better access to drivers' records -- and Dunkin' Donuts.
January 19, 2006
KEENE, N.H. --Sometimes, using the Dunkin' Donuts drive-through can be a risky venture for Keene police officers.
The officers' in-car police computers interfere with the restaurant's computers. Officers need to disable their computer modems to avoid interfering with the Dunkin' Donuts computer system.
Police use the in-car systems to check on license plates and people's criminal records. They also can file incident and arrest reports from their cars. The computers communicate with the police station on a radio network.
There are other problems with the setup, as well. Keene Police Sgt. Eliezer Rivera said the computer network doesn't reach all parts of the city and it's only as fast as a dial-up Internet connection.
The City Council is proposing a faster, more extensive wireless network to make things easier. Other departments and Keene's school system also might be able to use it.
"The spottiness is the root of the problem," said Rebecca Landry, Keene's director of information management. Police should know right away if, for example, they are dealing with a stolen car, she said.
If the council approves the project, installation of the new system could start as soon as next fall.
That means police could have better access to drivers' records -- and Dunkin' Donuts.