Potter-Randall Technology Collaboration to Increase Information Sharing

The Randall and Potter County Technology Collaboration proposal is seeking funding under the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Smart Prosecution Program, to enhance and improve communication among three prosecutorial agencies serving Amarillo, Texas. Amarillo is a large, isolated city in the Texas Panhandle, split into two counties (Potter and Randall County). Due to the location and unique jurisdictional split in the city, local criminal justice entities face many challenges. The most problematic challenge being communication. Not surprisingly, violent felony offenders in Amarillo commit offenses on both sides of the county line. The three prosecution agencies for Potter and Randall County do not have an efficient and effective mechanism to share case and offender information between the offices. These gaps in resources to identify offenders associated with high concentrations of criminal activity squander scarce prosecutorial, law enforcement, and court resources. Potter and Randall County are joining in this proposal in order to enhance, improve, and expand technological compatibility and information sharing among prosecutorial and other criminal justice entities in the greater Amarillo area. For the first time, the three prosecution agencies with jurisdiction in Amarillo, are partnering in this proposal to build a foundation for sustained communication and interoperability concerning shared suspects and offenders to keep Amarillo safe. The Randall County Criminal District Attorney’s Office will serve as the lead agency on this grant.