Updated fingerprint system
expected to boost efficiency
By jeanette M. eng
Staff Writer
MARLBORO — A federal grant of $250,000 is aiding the police department in advancing many aspects of its operations.
This technology initiative grant, received on Oct. 1, is covering the addition of an automated fingerprinting system (AFIS), security cameras, patrol car cameras, a computer aided dispatch system and a records management system, said Marl-boro Police Capt. Danny Schick.
According to information provided by the township, $26,500 of the federal grant will be used toward the purchase of the AFIS.
According to Schick, the new system will often allow local police to receive a response on fingerprints while a subject is still in custody.
"Right now, fingerprints are taken on a card and then mailed to the state police, making it days, if not weeks, before a response is received," Schick said. "But with this machine now, the prints are scanned, then with the press of a button everything is sent to the state police immediately."
With a database of more than 30 million prints, the system is very accurate in identifying subjects, Schick said.
According to the April 15, 2002, New Jersey State Police Newsletter, "full deployment of live scan technology to all areas of New Jersey will greatly enhance the services provided to the entire law enforcement community through rapid identification of subjects arrested and fingerprinted while they are still in police custody."
According to Schick, in the past this type of fingerprinting system has cost between $75,000 and $100,000 and was not available at the local level.
After the police department received a bid for the system from the state contract vendor, the Township Council authorized the purchase of the system from Sagem Morpho, Inc. of Tacoma, Wash.
According to the state police newsletter, the contract price of $26,500 features a live scan work station that includes all hardware, software, training, installation, manuals and a one-year on-site parts and labor warranty. The price does not include the $500 cost for a storage cabinet to house the equipment.
The AFIS has been tested and approved, Schick said.
"This system will last for years," the captain said. "It’s not like your computer which will become obsolete in a year."
According to Schick, the AFIS is expected to be implemented within the next few months, with the remainder of the technology improvements expected to be made by June.