MONTEREY PARK - The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and partnering agencies unveiled a nationwide, first of its kind database called Community Based Information System (CBIS) Tuesday at the Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau in Monterey Park.The database is designed to combine crime, demographics, social service referrals, school dynamics and other relevant data. It is the ultimate information led policing system empowering law enforcement in making decisions and improving services, Sheriff Lee Baca said. "This system has the capability to empower police agencies to effectively identify and assess problem areas, without regard to jurisdictional boundaries, just like crime," Baca said. During hard economic times when departments are minimizing services, this tool will allow law enforcement partners to continue the ongoing fight to provide public safety by bridging the gaps between information sharing. "The CBIS provides real time intelligence between local, state and federal agencies that will allow us to combat crime together," said John A. Torres, special agent in charge of the Los Angeles Field Division's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Los Angeles Field Division. "If this database can save one life, and I know it will, ATF will continue its collaboration with this project to ensure open lines of intelligence is being shared with all levels of law enforcement." Unlike typical reactive law enforcement technological systems that are used to track criminals or analyze crime, the purpose of this system is to allow agencies to better understand the socioeconomic dynamics that underlie troubled neighborhoods. "The very nature of CBIS supports our goals to further develop and enhance LAPD's predictive policing efforts, because it presents a comprehensive picture of the communities we serve, especially those troubled by violence and gang crime," LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said. "The future of smarter, more effective policing means knowing where and when crime will happen. I'm confident that all agencies participating in this innovative program will benefit." The entire system will encompass information that will be housed in one secure location and will be accessible to all our law enforcement partners within Los Angeles and Orange County. "CBIS is a breakthrough platform linking law enforcement with quality community data moving law enforcement towards achieving the best of 21st century policing," said Connie Rice, director of the advancement project. The system will also assist line personnel with providing immediate referral information to the community. "We can provide the community with tangible solutions to their problems and create a cultural shift within law enforcement," said Baca.

********** Published: September 16, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 22