"FREEEEEEEZE!!!!"
Every time I hear that command my mind flashes into television
mode. I halfway expect to see Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs
screeching around a corner in a blur of neon, egg-shell white...
huarache sandals solidly flapping between bare feet and airport
floors. Sometimes a scene from NYPD Blue pops to mind
instead; either way, my deepest understanding of the ins and outs
of law enforcement is basically limited to television shows and
the skateboard ordinances in my childhood hometown.
What I do know, however, is that law enforcement, like any
other large enterprise, has plenty of communications challenges,
with the added pressure of being the arm of the government most
often seen, felt, and heard by the common man. Not only are police
officers expected to act a certain way, they are also expected to
have a firm grasp on all the different facets of very sticky
situations. The base that every officer needs is education and the
ability to resolve a conflict in the most effective and quickest
manner possible. In other words, the wireless world and law
enforcement share much in common: Information is expected right on
time, and accuracy and timeliness are paramount.
Enter Aether
Aether is an
enterprise-focused solutions provider that helps businesses stay
ubiquitously connected to information stores and databases. A wing
of the company, the Mobile Government Division, was created by
combining state and local government products such as
PacketCluster and FireRMS that were acquired through the
acquisitions of Cerulean Technology and Sunpro Corp., with Aether
products such as ScoutSync and BlackBerry by Aether (among
others). Aether's mission is "to make Mobile Government a
reality across all of government -- to be the key that unlocks the
power of wireless information and the Internet for all mobile
professionals in the public sector."
Two of Aether's latest offerings for law enforcement are
PocketBlue and PacketCluster Patrol. Designed to allow quick
transfer of data and quick checks on personal information through
state, local, and national databases, these programs are seeing
use everywhere from the fields of Ohio to Logan Airport in Boston.
PocketBlue combines portability with full integration with
every part of a given law enforcement agency, allowing foot, bike,
mounted patrol, and other special details full access to person,
vehicle, gun, and other queries against all major databases, as
well as full integration with in-vehicle laptops for secure text
messaging and system-wide alarms. It allows troopers to run a
check quickly through the National Crime Information Center on
outstanding warrants, previous felonies, or stolen vehicles. In
the case of Logan Airport, for example, individuals and cars are
selected randomly as troopers patrol various areas of the airport.
The troopers who are using the Aether wireless technology are
concentrated in patrols in the airport terminals, parking
facilities, and the taxi pool.
"As our troopers patrol terminals and garages randomly
interviewing passengers, this technology allows them to check
immediately if an individual is wanted by law enforcement,"
said Thomas J. Kinton, Jr., Acting Executive Director for Massport.
"This gives our agents an added tool as they conduct
one-on-one interviews and strengthens our multi-layered security
system at Logan."
If the program proves successful, Massport will eye expanding
the system to include state records and federal watch lists.
Running on a wide array of handheld devices, Aether PocketBlue
extends mobile data and communication to the Palm Vx, Research in
Motion's RIM 950 and 957 Wireless Handhelds, and Symbol's
ruggedized SPT 1733 handheld computer. The devices operate over
CDPD (cellular digital packet data) Cingular and Motient wireless
networks. By being a part of a fully integrated mobile data system
which provides secure messaging and alarm capabilities for all
connected mobile users -- as well as data collection and reporting
functionality that address concerns relating to racial profiling
-- PocketBlue provides solutions to the day to day issues in law
enforcement.
PacketCluster Patrol, another offering from Aether, is an open,
standards-based wireless information software product that
provides police officers in the field with direct access to motor
vehicle and warrant information within seconds. Instead of relying
on two-way radio calls to busy dispatchers for limited
information, officers can tap into a wireless computer network
from laptop computers in their cruisers to get complete motor
vehicle and warrant information. The software can be run over all
popular public or private wireless networks such as conventional
radio frequencies and advanced CDPD networks. PacketCluster Patrol
enables real-time silent communication between police headquarters
and mobile units for quick back up.
So next time I hear police sirens, instead of thinking of Inner
Circle's "Bad Boys," I'll think of the BlackBerry-wielding
police at Logan, and feel that justice is now that much better
informed.
Mike von Wahlde is the associate editor of Internet
Telephony magazine. He welcomes your comments at mvonwahlde@tmcnet.com.
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