Birmingham PD Adds High-Tech Tools To Its Crime-Fighting Arsenal
By Sam Prickett
The Birmingham Police Department will soon have two new high-tech crime-fighting tools at its disposal. On Tuesday, the Birmingham City Council approved nearly $75,000 for two law enforcement software systems, PredPol and Assisted Patrol Bait Systems, which are designed to increase patrol efficiency and crack down on repeat offenders, respectively.
The city will spend $59,900 on the Santa-Cruz, California-based PredPol, a software that uses machine learning to calculate times and locations where crimes are more likely to occur. It’s a program that Police Chief Patrick D. Smith has mentioned repeatedly since taking office in June. In January, he told BirminghamWatch that enacting the program would be one of his priorities for 2019.
“We can start breaking down what we need to do, where our patrol cars need to be to reduce crime, and also we can break it down by beat, in terms of how much presence we need to have in a certain area to drive down crime,” Smith said. “This will address us from a historical perspective of where we need to go, of where (crimes) have occurred, but also let us know where we need to be in the future.”
At Mayor Randall Woodfin’s “Big Picture” presentation last week, Smith said that PredPol would be a central part of the city’s “real-time crime center,” which will serve as a hub for the city’s various crime-fighting resources.
The funding approved by the council on Tuesday allows for installation, integration and tech support services from PredPol, as well as for training officers how to use the software. The agreement will come with the option to renew those services for an additional year.
Also approved was approximately $15,000 for Assisted Patrol Bait Systems, a self-described “theft apprehension system” based in Beavercreek, Ohio. The systems allow for officers to place items — such as vehicles, purses or bags — in areas with high rates of property theft. Those items will have sensors, such as a built-in camera and a GPS tracker, that will allow police to identify and locate thieves. According to Assisted Patrol’s website, the system is designed to target “high-rate offenders … without the need for special stakeouts” and ultimately to act as a deterrent for thieves.
Both items were initially slated to be approved as part of the council’s consent agenda, but Councilor Hunter Williams asked for them to be removed. When the items later came before the council for a vote, Williams, who chairs the council’s public safety committee, said he had received additional information and was satisfied. Both funding proposals were approved unanimously.
Photo by Tex Texin
Lawmakers threaten Attorney General Bondi with contempt over incomplete Epstein files
The Justice Department is defending its initial release of documents related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, saying lawyers are still going through them to ensure victims are protected.
Scientists say they have discovered 20 new species deep in the Pacific Ocean
Researchers retrieved reef monitoring devices that had been placed in deep coral reefs in Guam. The devices were placed up to 330 feet below the surface.
Shopping for pricy ACA health plans? Some cheaper options come with trade-offs
Without a fix from Congress, costs for many people who buy health care on the Affordable Care Act marketplace have gone up. Here's what's to know about cheaper choices — and pitfalls to be aware of.
Cartagena’s iconic horse carriages give way to electric buggies
Cartagena, Colombia, is set to ban its iconic horse-drawn carriages, replacing them with electric buggies — a move dividing the historic city over tradition, tourism, and animal welfare.
New Orleans musicians share their favorite Christmas songs, from bounce to blues
Rosemary Westwood from member station WWNO asked a few of New Orlean's favorite musicians about the songs they like to listen to around Christmas.
On winter’s coldest days, this classic Kashmiri coat offers warmth — and wisdom
In Kashmir, December 21 is said to mark the start of the 40 harshest days of winter. A woolen robe called a pheran is key to keeping warm — and a reminder of how to face and overcome hardships.
.jpg){kind=link}