Tuscarawas County Launches Integrated Justice Information System
COLUMBUS, Ohio [Nov. 7, 2003]
Tuscarawas County, Ohio, this week launched an Integrated Justice Information System that facilitates information sharing among law enforcement agencies and provides the public with Web-based access to crime statistics and selected information about wanted criminals.
The computerized system lets the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s office and area police agencies easily compile and share critical information about arrests, bookings, incident reports, warrants and case dispositions at key decision points throughout the justice process. It also facilitates the rapid dissemination of notices and alerts, improving the safety of law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.
The system also:
- Eliminates information exchange delays between agencies
- Reduces the possibility of improper apprehension, identification, prosecution, adjudication and sentencing
- Supports cross-jurisdictional investigation and information sharing
- Improves efficiency by accepting and compiling data in a wide variety of formats and from multiple sources
- Minimizes each participating agency’s total cost of ownership through the use of a shared service
Also included is the Tuscarawas County Justice Portal, a new section of the sheriff’s office Web site (www.co.tuscarawas.oh.us/sheriff) that furnishes easy access for citizens to updated information about wanted criminals, convicted sex offenders and crime statistics.
“Our county is fortunate to obtain a system that enhances the safety of our law enforcement officers and improves citizen access to crime-related information,” said Tuscarawas County Sheriff Walt Wilson. “Ultimately, this initiative contributes to the overall effort to reduce crime and make our communities safer places in which to live and work.”
The integration project, which began in 2001, was funded by two grants provided to Tuscarawas County by the State of Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services. The software was developed by Optimum Technology, a Columbus-based provider of software development and information sharing solutions for state, county and municipal government agencies. The system is based on Microsoftâ technology, and uses industry-standard software development and database technologies. Its component-based architecture makes it easily upgradeable with additional capabilities as needed.
“Optimum Technology is proud to play a role in the development and implementation of one of Ohio's first county-wide justice information sharing system,” said Zach Zettler, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Optimum Technology. “The forward-thinking approach of Sheriff Wilson and the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's office sets a trend not only in Ohio, but also in the nation as effective inter-agency information sharing becomes key to the success of a variety of homeland security initiatives.”
About Optimum Technology
Optimum Technology provides software solutions that help law and regulatory enforcement agencies fight crime and eliminate fraud by removing barriers to information sharing, improving data reliability and timeliness, and aiding collaborative investigation. The company's solutions are helping over 500 agencies across the country protect and serve more than 17 million citizens.
For more information contact: Greg Davda at 614.885.9541 or greg.davda@otech.com
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