Issue link: https://let.epubxp.com/i/137309
SE C U R ED C IT I E S SH: In Boston, they were able to identify who the suspects were and get that information out to the media because it was a global event. In Maryland we had those pictures up along the main interstates within hours after they were released. So now, your perimeter has extended to several states. [The suspects'] pictures were up across the U.S. on electric billboards. We wouldn't have been able to do that without video, or without the electronics we have today. Because of technology's complexities, jurisdictional boundaries are ceasing to exist. Originally when I started as a police officer I'd see a picture, make a photo lineup of six pictures, and then have someone identify who that person was. And then I'd have to go down and print that information and put it on flyers trying to identify a missing child or a suspect. Now within seconds we can take [the image] right off the video, connect it to who the victim was, and send it out to every car and every person in that perimeter, within minutes. Think about that. That's also increasing the trust between the community and law enforcement, because we're more proficient about how we're doing it. And there's no confusion about who we're actually looking for. LET: You're improving the transparency between community and law enforcement. SH: Absolutely. The transparency, I think is ideal. That's the best way to say it. Look at the [successful end] to the Boston bombing—individuals are taking video all the time, and now they need repository of where to send that back. You know that data contains the XY coordinates of where the picture was taken, so you can Circle 44 on Reader Service Card 36 Law Enforcement Technology June 2013 start putting out a map of where this picture was taken and at what time. Now you have a timeline in which to reconstruct that environment; you know exactly where to look for those surrounding pictures, and at what time and on what day. That helps you tremendously when you're putting a scene back together. As for transparency, it was a community member—a citizen—who took the picture. That's the way the public/ private partnership is really developing. I really thought transparency was key in Boston, along with interoperability. From Federal down to local they were making sure there was one message, and that they were organized and verifying information before they put it out. They did a good job of explaining through the media what was actually transpiring, because they were doing a door-by-door search. To do a search Circle 43 on Reader Service Card www.officer.com