CITY POLICE SEEK GRANT FOR COMPUTER SOFTWARE

The Cape Girardeau Police Department has applied for a $39,750 federal block grant for computer software designed to aid officers in crime analysis.

Police Chief Rick Hetzel said the software would allow officers to analyze the wealth of crime-related information stored on the department's computer system.

The software also could allow the department to store photographic images on the computer.

Cape Girardeau is one of 53 Missouri cities to qualify for the grant money. Sixteen counties also are eligible. Cape Girardeau County isn't.

Combined, the state's cities and counties will receive up to $8.3 billion.

The money can be spent on everything from equipment to crime prevention programs.

Cities and counties are allocated grant money on the basis of crime statistics.

Hetzel said cities and counties with little crime don't qualify for the money.

Hetzel thinks computers can help cops do their job better.

He said law enforcement agencies must look to "operate smarter" in fighting crime.

The department stores every police report on computer, but the system is used primarily to provide printouts of reports for insurance purposes, the police chief said.

The computer software would allow officers to more readily identify crime trends, including areas and times where various types of crimes occur.

Sgt. Carl Kinnison said that through crime analysis, officers look to detect patterns to anticipate where and when a criminal might strike again.

"You are in essence attempting to predict behavior based on past behavior," said Kinnison.

Through such analysis, for example, the department can decide if more officers are needed to patrol a certain area.

Kinnison said the department submitted its grant request to the U.S. Justice Department this month.

The city must come up with a 10 percent cash match. In this case, that would amount to some $3,900.

Kinnison said the city likely won't receive the grant money until fall. The computer program could be in operation by next summer, he said.

Last year, the police department received a $29,000 federal block grant to upgrade its communications system.

Kinnison said the department is in the process of upgrading communications equipment and purchasing new walkie talkies.

Officers can't always communicate by radio because of the hilly terrain, he said.

Hetzel said the new equipment should eliminate the so-called "dead spots."