PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT'S
2010 Edward Byrne Memorial JAG Grant
The Milford Police Department has been selected by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, and Bureau of Justice Assistance to receive funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. The purpose of the program is to assist state and local efforts to prevent or reduce crime and violence.
This grant is a direct award from the Department of Justice, the length of the grant period is four years, the application deadline is June 30, 2010, and the award for the City of Milford under this program totals $15,307.00.
The funds provided by this grant will be used to purchase components of a license plate recognition system. License plate recognition or license plate readers are an image processing technology that uses mobile or fixed camera units along with optical character recognition (OCR) software to identify license plates.
Mobile applications of this product can support up to four cameras per unit with simultaneous LPR processing. The LPR system checks the saved image of the license plate against real time hot list, stolen vehicles, wanted persons, or vehicles of interest.
The recommended design we are looking at is the Vigilant Video’s LPR system. This system is a ruggedized design making it ideal for the drastic weather changes and conditions of New England. The Vigilant Video’s LPR camera has a dual lens, allowing for IR and color cameras in one camera housing.
Vigilant Video’s LEARN – Law Enforcement Archival Reporting Network, is currently installed and operational for the Connecticut Capital region, and is currently scanning 10,000 plates a week.
The estimated cost per vehicle for the Vigilant Video solution is $5,000. This includes four LPR cameras, LPR in-car processor, software and installation for each vehicle. This system would dramatically increase our ability to enforce traffic laws, locate and identify wanted, missing, or supervised persons, apprehend criminal offenders, and recover stolen vehicles and property.
Alexandra Ducsay Homicide
Comments from Chief Keith L. Mello regarding the Alexandra Ducsay Homicide:
We were pleased to learn of the posting of a $50,000 reward in the Alexandra Ducsay homicide. I would like to thank the Governor's Office for authorizing the maximum allowable reward under the statue. The offering of a reward is certainly a positive step that may hopefully persuade someone who has critical information about this crime to come forward.
While it would be inappropriate and unwise for me to comment on the direction of the investigation, I want the family and the community to know that this case remains very active and we are continuing to work with the State's Attorney's Office to bring this case to a conclusion, which can be nothing short of a successful prosecution of the person responsible for this crime.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation can contact
The Detective Bureau
(203) 877-1465
Milford Police Department State Accreditation Award
The Police Officer Standards & Training Council awarded the Milford Police Department a Tier I & II State Accreditation and presented the certificate on May 1, 2008.
The Milford Police Department, under the command of Chief Keith L. Mello, has chosen to voluntarily seek this highly coveted award to demonstrate to the community a commitment to law enforcement excellence.
Accreditation is for three years, during which time our agency must continue to be in compliance with the standards set forth by Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), under the direction of accreditation manager, Lieutenant Joseph Pietrafesa.
Accreditation Process
The accreditation process consists of maintaining compliance with professionally recognized law enforcement standards. The Accreditation Manager who oversees, directs and manages the 207 standards on a day-to-day basis conducts this process.
Benefits of Accreditation
There are several benefits of accreditation, which are outlined below:
Controlling liability insurance costs
Preparing stronger defenses against lawsuits and citizen complaints
Providing an increase in community advocacy
Increasing town government awareness as to how the police department is being managed
Symbolizes professionalism, excellence and competence within an agency
Accreditation ensures policies and procedures are in place to guide employees and protect citizens. It also ensures a complete audit of the department every three years.
The Milford Police Department is seeking a Tier III accreditation and has begun that process.
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