Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2008, $335,381)
The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program (Byrne Discretionary Program) helps local communities improve the capacity of local justice systems and provides for national support efforts. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 08 Congressional Budget. Funds should be used for purposes recommended by Congress.
The Houston Police Department (HPD) expand and enhance its current Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) identification and management tools by means of mobile hand-held identity check devices; portable, wireless live-scan units; report management tools; and back-end server equipment support. HPD will seek technology to make automated fingerprint identification and data available to strategic response units of the HPD and partnering law enforcement agencies to address gang violence, immigration control, and violent crime reduction. This project will help increase police service and protection to the 2 million residents of the City of Houston by decreasing delays in identifying suspects and processing/booking prisoners electronically. The department will accomplish three goals in order to initiate a multi-modal, hand-held biometric collection device and support system: (1) accelerate the automation of fingerprint identification processes and sharing of criminal justice data; (2) move wireless/portable prisoner booking resources to arrest locations for large scale narcotics/vice operations; and (3) provide measurable arrest statistical resources for police decision-makers. HPD's strategy is to purchase and use enhanced law enforcement tools to expand upon the state's investment of an AFIS infrastructure and target city locations with high-crime rates.
NCA/NCF