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2- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, July 16, 1991 Police introduce new era, state-of-the-art computer By Scott Anderson "A new era in policing" was unveiled by Durham Regional Police. The police service introduced its new $1.35-million state-of- the-art Computer Aided Dis- patch (CAD) system and Mobile Digital Terminals (MDT) to the media last Thursday. The CAD system helps to eliminate some of the workload problems the Central Emergen- cy Response Bureau (CERB) had been experiencing. With this new system the response time for needed information is lessened. The CAD system enables the dispatchers to access immedi- ate information on calls, as well as continually update opera- tional status. It also gives the CERB operator caller informa- tion from 9-1-1 on their comput- er terminals and allows for au- tomatic transfer of the information into the incident records. The system is integrated with the existing records elimi- nating duplication of informa- tion, and providing access from all terminals to the information stored in either system. The individual police cruis- ers also got a hi-tech boost. More than 90 cars, which in- cludes all uniformed cars and some unmarked cars, will be equipped with Mobile Digital Terminals (MDT). The MDTs, mounted be- tween the passenger and the drivers seat, provide the offi- cers with fast direct access to needed information from vari- ous record banks, without the lyindJune. in August 1989. people living on welfare." gion will not go bankrupt. said. Number on welfare drops marginally The number of people relying on welfare dropped marginal- "It is indeed a positive thing," Durham Region's Social Ser- vices Commissioner, Garry Cubitt, said. He added the decrease in the number of people living on wel- fare was the first noticeable one since the welfare crisis began "The figures are showing a bit more stability," the commis- sioner said. "We hope we have plateaued." In June, the number of persons in receipt dropped 1.39 per cent from 16,716 persons in May to 16,483 persons in June. The number of caseloads also decreased a bit (.78 per cent) from 9,706 in May t0 9,630 in June. The only monthly increase noted in June was a 1.51 per cent rise in the gross basic needs expenditures. Payments in June cost $5.368 million, compared to $5.288 million in May. About 4.6 per cent of Durham's population relies on welfare. The region pays 20 per cent of the costs for the first 3.5 per cent of the population and 10 per cent for the remaining 1.1 per cent. The provincial government picks up the rest of the tab. Although the figures show promise of a reverse in the wel- fare crisis, Mr. Cubitt said he expects a long recovery ahead. "It took two years" to get to this stage, he said. "We still have to realize there is a problem in our communi- ty. We're not out of concern yet, in regards to the number of But ifthe downward trend continues, Mr. Cubitt said the re- "Asit stand right now, the 1991 budget will be adequate," he iitchens Our Specialty © [Bring this ad with your kitchen 1 measurements or window J lists, and recieve a FREE Oak, Pine Maple, Birch Cherry, Hickory Melamine, Lacquered Traditional and Modern FREE INHOME CONSULTATIONS FREE KITCHEN COMPUTER DESIGN SERVICE I 60 LINE WINDOWS IN TWO DAYS Entrance a new kitchen, or the windows lit | [Instant Kitchens in stock for I 25'x1" measuring tape for 1] y leting us quote you prices on ce. camer | y 2 | for your house. Cobisots Crafved With Care | immediate delivery. % { Discounted over 50% off. 3 MSL. o> broiems | ! 40% OFF M.S.L. Bw os ee we 2 RAIL Ama fy | need for voice response. But the police force stressed it does not mean that it is going completely voiceless, or it is be- ing taken over by computers. "The human element has not been removed. It just aids them," said Staff Sergeant Der- ek Denson. "Heaven help the day that the computer takes over." Staff Sergeant Denson added itis the human at the other end that must still make the ulti- mate decision on how to re- spond. The entire project consists of the replacement of existing computer hardware; revamp- ing the CERB,; integrating with existing radio communications systems, with the Bell Canada E-9-1-1 system, and with exist- ing Automated Records system; establishing a region-wide ra- dio network for mobile termi- nals and installing the MDTs in the vehicles. | It also meant training each of the more than 600 staff mem- bers which would be using the system. Staff Sergeant Denson said before anybody can use the new system they must first go through a one-day training ses- sion at the Oshawa-based head- quarters. He estimates all offi- cers will be trained on the system by August 9. The system saw some local exposure not too long ago when the police conducted a compre- hensive two-day spot check pro- gram in Caesarea. The implementation of this program is in response to the police service's need to upgrade its communication systems, and improve an officer's infor- mation access when on the road, says John Rycroft, man- ager, Information Systems Branch for Durham Police. The original system, which was first introduced in 1976, has become outdated as the size of the police force has grown - over the past 15 years. This has prompted the need for a system with enhanced capacity. The $1.35-million project was awarded to PRC Public Management Services Inc. in January to completely revamp the system. Police admit that it is not the first of its kind to be installed, but do believe that it is the best available today. "People who buy last, buy the best. And we've bought the best today," Deputy Chief Doug Bul- loch said. "We believe this is the best possible state-of-the-art equipment that is available." Wig BS OE EWEN VS EA "SW = ~ LENE = ENA Wr 3 Nr ZN > EL S92 Eo 2 Zi HR SHUR A) of , : Look out Minnie Pearl. Here comes Helen Pollard. Mrs. Pollard won best belle in the West's Best Contest. Winners announced for West's Best contest Little Lesley Sweetman proved to be the best in the west in fhe West's Best Contest held in conjunction with Festival ays. Not only did Lesley win the West's Best Baby category, she collected the most votes overall in the contest. She received 58,279 votes (or $582.79). That made her the grand prize win- ner of a weekend getaway for two to the Pine Vista Resort on Stoney Lake. In total, the 22 contestants collected $2,732.67. The money ul benefit the Community Memorial Hospital's building und. In the West's Best Baby category, Lesley topped Codie For- syth, Shawn Bowan, Alicia Craig, Eric Draper, Ashley Evans, Jordan Campbell, and Destiny Anderson. In the West's Best Cowboy category, Rob Kroonenberg won with 3,250 votes. Pete Kneale was also nominated. : Helen Pollard won the West's Best Belle category with 11,841 votes. Other contestants were Liz Drebit, Karey Brig- nall, and Sally Otis. The West's Best Businessperson is Mary Fines. Her 7,236 votes beat out the efforts of Marie Climo and David Waite. In the West's Best Teen category, Ryan Edgar won with 3,635 votes. Barbara Knowlton was also nominated. Paul Gouin proved to be a bigger villain than Bill Barr. Paul won the West's Best Villain category with 4,800 votes. With 29,256 votes, Marion Lee won the West's Best Granny category over Diane McCourt. . No one dared to challenge Orval Nelson. The West's Best Gramps received 4,300 votes. Other Festival Days contest winners include Northern Clothing Company for best store front and the Royal Bank for best dress staff. i EN a Brooklin Villiage Shoppe Fine Ladys' Clothiers SUMMER SALE -- «o upto B= ps '| Bb "« 4 OFF 3 3 A " NY Nf Susan Bristol "Eagles Eye sri Sine is ie) : Sp . EN & B/] Jessica McClintock * Herman Giest Brocklin, Ontario iY | 655.3474 fe wn Hours: Mon. to Wed. 9:30 - 5:30 Thurs. to Fri. 9:30 - 8:00 Sat. 9:30 - 5:00 'Bring a friend x & FN AE ZS BN EN EN EE WA EA XX a. AYES ad OEY" 2d; ATE Rod): { aL. AVR yi oa Be : INE ANNI ER ZN G20 CR E707 RGR