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Project manager/coordinator for the new DPS traffic record crash system Fred Scanlan poses next to one of the new laptops that have been installed into four police vehicles. The new system allows for the electronic issuance of citations/tickets, and the program is hooked up to the local court system which means the information will be electronically sent to the courts. |
The Department of Public Safety has installed new laptops, scanners, and printers into four of their vehicles. The laptops are part of the new traffic record crash system which came with a price tag of more than $150,000. The new system reduces the use of paperwork and enables police officers to issue citations electronically, with the press of a button. |
DPS takes hold of new Traffic Record Crash System
After years of having to manually write paper citations and tickets during traffic accidents, officers from the Department of Public Safety can now electronically report and collect data on car accidents for both private and commercial vehicles, thanks to the new Traffic Record Crash System which was unveiled yesterday morning.
The entire project, which includes four laptops, scanners, printers, and software installed in two police cars (Traffic Division) and two trucks for the Motor Carrier Safety Administration Program (MCSAP), cost over $150K and was made possible through a collaborated effort between the Department of Public Works, the Department of Public Safety, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and the Judiciary (local court system).
Funding was provided through a grant from the Office of Highway Safety, under the US Department of Transportation (USDOT).
Project coordinator/manager Fred Scanlan, who also wrote the grant that brought us the new driver’s license program, said that the new system is a long time coming, as the software was purchased a few years ago (for $64,000) but could never been used until now.
“This is a pilot testing phase, which will extend until later this year in November,” Scanlan explained. “At that time, we will fine tune the software and take a survey from the police officers who are using the system, to receive input from them which will then be sent to the company.”
Scanlan said that after the test pilot period, he anticipates moving to the next phase which will include the acquisition of cameras, as well as enhanced connectivity which will be carried out through collaboration with the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (ASTCA) for island-wide coverage of the system, so all the information can be dumped into the server.
(The new laptops allow for restricted internet access at this time).
According to Scanlan, if the system proves to be a success, he will seek additional funding to bring in more laptops and equipment. He explained that the court system will benefit from the new system, which will allow for electronic citations to be issued, as the person’s records and information will be installed into the laptops and become accessible to police officers.
“Issuing electronic tickets will help avoid a lot of paperwork,” Scanlan said.
Lt. Laolagi of the MCSAP team added, “The new system will make everything so much easier for us. This is definitely a good sign that we are moving up,” He explained that sometimes, citations and tickets that are called in are delayed because there is only one dispatcher on duty. But now, “with the new system, officers can issue electronic citations that are forwarded straight to the court and don’t require telephone calls to the dispatcher.”
Under the new system, police officers only need to swipe a person’s driver’s license. Once that is done, personal information will pop up on the laptop screen and from there, the officer will have to punch in the proper violation code before the information is electronically sent to the courts.
“With this, there will be no more retrieval in citations,” Scanlan said.
Lt. Laolagi added, “Now drivers can’t plead their way out of citations and tickets, as the information goes straight to the court system. The reports will be done right there on the spot. There will be no more begging and pleading to have the ticket/citation erased.”
The new Traffic Record Crash System has been installed and will be put to use right away.
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