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September 16, 2003
GovPro E-Newsletter
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Tuesday, September 16, 2003

Volume 2, Issue 36

Welcome to the GovPro Newsletter brought to you by the Penton Government Media Group. Look forward to news, resources, product and supplier information, and links relating to the government market.

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Sponsored by Safety Storage

CONTENTS

Crime Fighters Join Forces

Cities See Reduced State Funds

Pass to Open Gates at Multiple Parks

New Highway Lanes May Cost Drivers

Search Dogs in Short Supply

News of The Weird

FEATURES

LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IMPLEMENT NEW CRIME-FIGHTING TECHNOLOGY

Seven central Ohio law enforcement agencies recently joined forces to implement new crime-fighting technology that will revolutionize the way their police departments enter, access and share information across jurisdictional lines.

Each agency in the consortium has implemented the web-based mobile crime-fighting information system that enables officers in the field to identify subjects, issue missing person alerts and wanted notifications, and enhance field interview reports with photos and fingerprints. With increasing populations, hazier jurisdictional lines, and increasing emphasis on homeland security and fighting terrorism, the agency consortium realized that they needed to dramatically enhance communication internally and with neighboring agencies.

The central Ohio agencies participating in the consortium project include Dublin, Grandview Heights, Ohio State University, Powell, Westerville, Worthington and Upper Arlington.

"The equation of success for central Ohio law enforcement is simple," said Michael Clancey, Chief of the Westerville, Ohio Police Department. "Effective technology plus timely information equals officer safety. This real-time informational exchange between agencies also translates into safer communities in central Ohio."

The technology behind the project is iLincs, developed by Columbus, Ohio-based Armada. iLincs is a Web-based, crime-fighting technology solution that allows officers to capture, access and share both visual and text-based information on a suspect or incident. It can be used with existing in-cruiser and in-station PC-based systems and with other mobile technology such as a cell phone or PDA. The system also provides officers access to local, state, and national databases.

Project funding for six of the agencies, excluding Ohio State University Police Department, was made possible through grants administered by the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services and funded by the U.S. Department of Justice. Realizing the value the project would bring to the University community, the OSU police department used their own funding to participate in the consortium.

According to Detective Rick Amweg of the OSU Police Department, increasing information sharing with neighboring police agencies such as Upper Arlington and Grandview Heights helps the university and is critical in solving campus crime.

"The University has several officers on foot or bicycles who require or need to enter critical information, but are not close to the station," Amweg continued. "This project will enable us to put state-of-the-art mobile technology in the hands of every officer so they can enter, access and share real-time information from the field helping us to become more efficient, improve officer safety and resolve cases faster." For iLincs information visit: http://www.armadacentral.com or call 1-877-3267.

STATES CUT CITY FUNDING

State revenues to cities were cut by approximately $2.3 billion, for fiscal year 2004, a 9.2 percent decrease from 2003, according to a new study by the National League of Cities (NLC).

The percentage decrease is the largest in at least a decade.

To gauge the impact on cities, the National League of Cities conducted an analysis of state budget cuts in 2003 and 2004, as well as a historical analysis of state and federal aid to cities.

Among the findings:

-- Cuts in state revenues for cities were reported in 24 states in 2003 and 2004.

-- In 13 of the 16 states where revenues for cities were not cut, revenues grew marginally, at rates of less than 3.0 percent.

-- These changes amount to a 9.2 percent actual decline in state revenues for cities between 2003 and 2004, totaling $2.3 billion.

-- Since 1977, federal revenues as a share of total city revenues have declined from 15 to 5 percent.

The decline in revenues in 2004 points to the depth of the state-local fiscal crisis and expands upon the findings of an NLC report released in May 2003 showing that state revenues would fall by 2.1 percent in 2003, after growing only marginally (.3 percent) in 2002.

To view the full report, visit: http://www.nlc.org/nlc_org/site/newsroom/nations_cities_weekly/display.cfm?id=32AC4334-830A-4F45-98DD54BE20B7B61F

The National League of Cities is the oldest and largest national organization representing municipal governments throughout the United States. Its mission is to strengthen and promote cities as centers of opportunity, leadership, and governance.

SAFETY STORAGE

Safety Storage crafts hazardous storage buildings for a wide range of applications, like isolating a hazardous production process, containing a volatile material, enclosing an explosive operation, adding a test lab, or securing equipment or evidence. Only Safety Storage has the custom-engineering experience and range of pre-fabricated solutions that fully comply with governmental regulations, and meet pertinent building and fire codes. For details, go to http://www.safetystorage.com

NEWS

INTERAGENCY PASS TO WIDEN PARKS ACCESS

The U.S. Dept. of Interior wants Congress to authorize creation of a user fee that will provide visitor entry to recreational facilities managed by the National Park Service, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the USDA's U.S. Forest Service.

The creation of a new annual interagency pass would expand the National Parks Passport to cover all participating agencies and would consolidate the Golden Passes established under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act. Consolidating these passes would decrease visitor confusion about various agency passes and shift the emphasis to recreation opportunities on federal lands.

PAY-AS-YOU-GO ROAD EXPANSIONS

A proposal to charge user fees to drive on lanes added to heavily congested roads would generate $50 billion in new highway construction funds. Legislation would allow state and local highway authorities to collect fees for using new lanes until enough funds are collected to finance the road-widening construction project.

A just-concluded study conducted shows that the bipartisan FAST Act could generate as much as $50 billion in new highway construction revenue for the most congested interstate highways in the six-year reauthorization bill.

SEARCH DOGS REMAIN IN SHORT SUPPLY

According to the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (NDSDF), the nation's leader in producing FEMA-certified canine disaster search teams, there remains a shortage of qualified canines in the United States.

The U.S. has 60 Advanced Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) certified disaster search teams. Estimates are that at least 300 teams are needed to supply each of the existing FEMA Task Forces. Currently, New York State has only two Basic FEMA-certified search teams and none rated Advanced. California has 30 Advanced teams. And, many states have none immediately available.

NEWS OF THE WEIRD: Bizarre but true stories about real people. http://www.govpro.com/GPRONewsletter/Article/28574/

EVENT

CONFERENCE TO REVEAL WORK PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS

The Associationa of Work Process Improvement's (TAWPI) 2nd Annual Capture Conference in Atlanta on Sept. 24-25 will explore how an organization can take full advantage of business process outsourcing. "Business Strategies for Leading Edge Data & Image Capture" will reveal innovative approaches for achieving broader flexibility, streamlined operations and reduced costs. Presentations will uncover the latest strategies for outsourcing, offshore processing, forms processing, workflow automation and more.

For more information on this event visit: http://www.tawpi.org/edu_and_prof_dev/index.html

INDUSTRY DECK: Products for Manufacturing Professionals, Design Engineers, and Industrial Buyers.

Are you looking for new products in the industrial marketplace? Industry Deck from NEW EQUIPMENT DIGEST is changing the way the industrial market learns about, specifies and purchases products, equipment, and services. Click here for more information: http://www.nextdecks.com/industrydeck/current/

LINKS

ORIX Public Finance, a leading provider of innovative financing for state and local municipalities, offers flexible terms, expedient processing and time-tested expertise. Let an ORIX professional help you today. http://www.orixfin.com

Federal Signal will accelerate your response time with electronic and mechanical outdoor warning sirens, software, and the Informer tone-alert radio. http://www.federalwarningsystems.com

PPI Modular Structures Inc. is a construction company that provides modular and pre-manufactured buildings. Custom applications are our specialty! http://www.ppimod.com

OLYMPIA! The only name you need to know for your office machine requirements! Paper Shredders, Typewriters, Calculators, Paper Handling Equipment. http://www.olympia.to

As a global leader in office furniture, Haworth offers a comprehensive line of furniture and service solutions for any office. http://www.haworth.com

Dawn Enterprises, a long time GSA choice for ultra-secure trashcans, planters, benches and bollards manufactured in either concrete or stone, in the colors of your choice. http://www.trashcans.com

GEM is the zero-emission transportation solution for your fleet needs. This Low Speed Vehicle is ideal for those everyday short distance trips. http://www.gemcar.com/gsa

John Deere. Better machines, greater choices. Lower prices, fewer hassles. Our complete online catalog brings the John Deere showroom right to you. http://www.JohnDeere.com/GovSales

Newark InOne is the only electronics distributor to have a catalog-wide GSA Schedule (GS-06F-0044M) exclusively for the supply of over 150,000 electronic components and supplies. Visit http://www.teamgov.com or contact 1.800.TEAM.GOV (832.6468) for a FREE catalog or to place your next order.

SimplexGrinnell: Your OneStop* provider for integrated fire, security and communications. Serving you via the GSA Schedule. To learn more, visit: http://www.simplexgrinnell.com/gsa

Custom-designed Meyer snow plows fit exact vehicle frame and weight specifications for exceptional performance in all applications. Visit: http://www.meyerproducts.com

KI is an award-winning, international furniture producer. Products include office seating, stacking and guest chairs, tables and wall systems. http://www.KI.com

Polythane Systems and the affiliated companies sell spray polyurethane foam for roofing, walls and tanks and the coatings necessary to complete the system. http://www.polythane.com

Alamo Industrial is the world's largest manufacturer of tractor-mounted vegetation management equipment. Built Sharper to give you the edge you need! Visit http://www.alamo-industrial.com

Installed in over 100 military and government facilities around the world, Onity provides superior electronic locking systems, e-safes and energy management solutions. Visit http://www.onity.biz

Skatewave Modular Skatepark Systems is a division of Landscape Structures Inc. Skatewave was founded in March 2001 and since then has installed more than 350 parks across the United States, Canada and Southeast Asia. Visit http://www.skatewave.com

Electric Eel Mfg. produces a full range of sewer cleaning equipment for the municipal market. Pipeline inspection and location equipment also available. Visit online at http://www.electriceel.com

Rubbermaid Commercial Products: Material handling, transport, sanitary maintenance, safety, waste systems, food service products, and healthcare products. Visit http://www.specialmade.com

Government fleets - comply with EPAct and Executive Order 13149, and meet petroleum reduction goals with help from FuelMaker and NGVs. http://www.fuelmaker.com

Toro. Power, Performance and Productivity. Discover solutions for your turf maintenance challenges at http://www.toro.com/grounds Register for government updates at http://www.toro.com/grounds/gov/govform2.html.

Upbeats Institutional Catalog features site furnishings/amenities including trash containers, park benches, picnic tables, ash urns, bike racks, banners and more. Shop online http://www.upbeatinc.com

Utility Metals manufactures outdoor lighting products. Lighting poles and brackets are available for immediate shipment. Custom fabrication provides unique solutions for one-of-a-kind applications. Call 800-627-8276 for free catalog or visit: http://www.utilitymetals.com

C & H Distributors provide a fast, efficient way to purchase shelving, cabinets, packaging and shipping products, or office furniture. Visit: http://www.chdist.com

Crown Equipment designs, manufactures, distributes, services, and supports material handling products that provide customers with superior value. http://www.crown.com

Cover-All Building Systems Inc is North America's largest manufacturer of pre-engineered clear span, membrane-covered frame structures. The buildings offer clear span widths from 18 to 160 feet, to any length. http://www.coverall.net

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