Automated Techniques To Improve Delivery

By DAVID J. SNOOKS, Services Division Commander
Alsip Police Department

The Village of Alsip, Illinois (Pop. 19,000) is located bordering the city of Chicago in Southwest Cook County. Alsip has implemented an automated Public Safety Dispatch and Records Management System which is unique for a community of its size. The Alsip Police and Fire Departments handle a combined total of approximately 21,000 calls annually. They employ about 76 full-time employees of which 66 are sworn Fire and Police Officers. The system which was designed and will soon be marketed by Integrated Computer Concepts of Arlington Heights, IL makes use of an Intel Multi-bus real time operating system which is extremely useful in the highly reactive environment of Public Safety Dispatch and Records Management.

Mobile Data Terminals are installed in all Police and most Fire vehicles. Termin- als are used for dispatching, status track- ing, and access to computerized data files. Police vehicles also access L.E.A.D.S. and N.C.I.C. directly from the vehicle with- out dispatcher assistance.

The system makes extensive use of mobile data terminals in both Police and Fire vehicles. These terminals allow immediate access to computerized data files. All public safety vehicles are equipped with either a mobile data terminal or a status message terminal. The Police Department uses 14 mobile data terminal equipped squad cars and the Fire Department uses 7 mobile data terminals and 8 status message terminals in Fire apparatus.

The system was first proposed to Village officials in February, 1985. After research and specifications were developed, the Village entered into a contract with Integrated Computer Concepts to engineer and design the package. Utilizing Motorola radio and mobile data terminal equipment, the project has been brought online in several phases since January, 1986. The Computer Aided Dispatch part of the system was placed into service in October, 1986 and the initial records management modules should be completed and functioning in March, 1987.

Communications Operators have access to over 12 different tasks including an in- terface to L.E.A.D.S. and N.C.I.C. which is interactive with the dispatch and man- agement programs.

The Police portion of the system allows access to arrest, citation, incident, property, and other records information through dispatch or management terminals. In addition, information may be obtained by officers in the field through a mobile data terminal. Also the system generates uniform crime reports and provides an interface to the Illinois LEADS and NCIC Police Computer System.

The Fire portion of the programs allow access to building plans. Fire Prevention information, fire preplan and EMS Patient history. In addition the NFRIS reporting statistics are compiled by the system for submission to the state Fire Marshals Office.

Alsip Village officials have made a conscious decision to continue to look at ways of using automated

February 1987 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 19

techniques to improve delivery of municipal services. Under development for future fiscal years are several projects which add to this commitment. (1) Already started and slated for completion in early Summer, 1987 is an interface program which will allow access of mobile data terminals to the Village IBM system 36 computer which is used by the Non-Public Safety Departments. This program will allow mobile data terminals to access utility billing, business license and other general municipal data. (2) The incorporation of an automated vehicle location system which will interface with Computer Aided Dispatch. This will provide a "closest car concept" for the Police Department as well as provide an additional margin of officer safety. (3) The use of hand held portable mobile data terminals for Police Investigators, Fire Inspectors and other Village personnel is being evaluated. (4) Development has begun on the digitizing of arrest and intelligence photo files into a computer data base and storing them to aid officers in identifying criminal suspects. (5) Finally, the implementation of an enhanced 911 telephone system for the Village residents is being planned.

Alsip is planning and preparing to meet its Public Service commitments for the late 1980's and early 1990's now. By developing and making extensive use of automated information systems the Village has acknowledged that rapid access to information is a key element in providing public safety services to residents, especially in the area of Police and Fire protection. •

Page 20 / Illinois Municipal Review / February 1987