GIRARD POLICE Computer plan forges network

Substations would be at the high school and multigenerational center.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- City police aim to establish computer links that will allow two police substations to open and provide other community benefits.
Capt. Frank Bigowsky said the computer network also would connect city police with the Trumbull County Sheriff's Department so information can be exchanged electronically and allow for video court arraignments.
"We think we're ready to make it happen," Bigowsky said Tuesday, noting he thinks the system can be up and running by the end of July or in mid-August.
Bids are being solicited for computer hardware and programs.
Substation at center
Laura Carey D'Rummo, director of the Girard Multi-Generational Center, said $25,000 from the center's operating grant is available for the project.
Frank Rich, city safety director, said the city either won't have to pay for the network or the cost would be more manageable. If the city has to pay a portion, it won't be more than $2,500, he said.
D'Rummo said the $25,000 is part of a $700,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education the center received in 2002.
The money was set aside to open a substation at the center.
"We ended up getting into a bigger project," D'Rummo said.
The computer networking project calls for establishing substations at the high school and the center.
When the school resource officer is re-established at the school, the officer assigned there will be able to file reports from the school directly to police headquarters.
Bigowsky said people with complaints in the city's Parkwood section, where the center is located, will be able to arrange meetings with officers.
Managing records
The reports taken in the Parkwood area will be sent from the center to police headquarters.
Bigowsky said the software will include police-report and records-management programs.
Currently, reports are typed on a typewriter and the paper reports stored in files. The software would decrease the amount of paper used.
The programs also would permit police to exchange information via computer with the sheriff's department.
D'Rummo said networking plans with the sheriff's department are now being finalized.
Another advantage, Bigowsky explained, is video conferencing that will permit the municipal court here to arraign prisoners at the county jail in Warren.
The whole community will benefit, D'Rummo asserted, adding, "There's a lot of potential."
She said an educational benefit will be that pupils would be able to view live court cases from their classrooms.
yovich@vindy.com