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Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Rural police 'lifeline' shutdown to hit 1,500 users

A federally funded computer service that connects rural police to vital Internet and e-mail discussions, will shut down at the end of the month, writes Kevin Johnson for USA Today. Police officials say the program's closure will jeopardize service for 1,500 users in at least 20 states. "For some departments, this service is a lifeline," says Jim Harper, the Dallas, Ore., police chief and 10-year program member. "People don't realize how many small agencies are trying to take care of business day-to-day with very little."

The Tribal Rural Law Enforcement Internet Project, originated in 1995 and is based at the National Center for Rural Law Enforcement at the University of Arkansas. Program manager Jimmy Nobles estimates that 60 departments rely on the project for basic Internet access, several of whom have no alternative provider. "Police agencies that find Internet access elsewhere still can't replace the project's list-serve, a special e-mail group that allows its 1,500 members to seek counsel on such things as enforcing curfews or searching for more fuel-efficient patrol vehicles," Johnson writes. The program also allows departments to alert colleagues about surplus equipment, such as bulletproof vest or tires, that is available. "I use this every day," Scappoose, Ore., Police Chief Douglas Greisen told Johnson. "I don't know how you replace it."

Sarah Matz, a Justice Department spokesperson, says the department provided at least $1.4 million to support the program and the grant period for the program is finished. The law enforcement center is free to pursue alternative funding, which Nobles said may come from a corporate sponsor. Regardless, he instructed members to prepare for a shutdown. Read more.

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