PORT ANGELES — The police departments in Port Angeles and Sequim are getting a second batch of mobile data terminals for their patrol cars, funded by the federal Homeland Security Department.
Clallam County commissioners Monday indicated support for a $139,899 agreement with Insight Public Sector for 17 mounted laptop computers for the Port Angeles police force and seven for the Sequim Police Department.
Commissioners will consider formalizing the agreements today.
The Panasonic Toughbooks and their accessories will be funded through a $505,904 federal Stonegarden grant that Clallam County received in 2010.
The county is expected to execute the $98,882 personal services agreement with the Tempe, Ariz., company for the 17 Port Angeles mobile data terminals and a $41,017 contract for the Sequim data terminals.
Stonegarden grants are provided by the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency.
They are designed to enhance the capability of state, local and tribal agencies to prevent, deter, respond to and recover from catastrophic and or terrorist events, Hoffman said.
The grants are awarded to counties on international borders.
Laptops in vehicles
Clallam County Sheriff’s Office Chief Civil Deputy Alice Hoffman said the terminals are regular laptop computers mounted inside police and sheriff’s vehicles.
“They actually get dispatch through these units rather than the radio,” Hoffman said.
“It allows them to be able to actually look up their own information, whether it’s the criminal records database or WASIC NCIC [Washington Crime Information Center/National Crime Information Center].”
The data terminals will allow cops and deputies to write reports from the field and check on driver’s status and arrest warrants.
“It really expedites the process,” said Clallam County Chief Criminal Deputy Ron Cameron.
Hoffman said a contract for 14 mobile data terminals for the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office West End will be ready for commissioners’ approval next week.
“This is the second round,” Hoffman said.
The 14 new terminals will outfit the entire fleet of sheriff’s patrol cars with the technology.
In August 2010, Clallam County used $82,953 of a $525,904 2009 Stonegarden grant to outfit 17 sheriff’s patrol vehicles with the mobile data terminals.
In September 2010, the county approved $127,327 in Stonegarden funds for 13 mobile data terminal for Port Angeles Police Department and 10 for the Sequim Police Department.
Hoffman said it takes about three months for the laptops to be installed and ready for use after the contracts are signed.
Clallam County Undersheriff Ron Peregrin said the preliminary indications are that there will be another Stonegarden grant issued this year.
That is subject to change, Peregrin added, because nothing has been approved.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
