Southampton cops seek new software system

The Southampton Town police chief has asked the town board to consider a new software system that would allow for faster dispatching, interface with county and state mug shots and fingerprint systems, and introduce bar coding of evidence for more secure inventory.

Chief William Wilson presented information on the $250,000 "Impact" system at Friday's town board work session.

The system is used by other Long Island police departments, including Shelter Island Town, Southampton Village, Amityville Village and the Suffolk County sheriff's office. The Suffolk County Police Department uses a propriety system.

Wilson called the new system a "holistic approach" to updating the current 20-year-old one. He also noted he used the Impact system when he was chief of Southampton Village police.

The new system also would allow for easier extraction of data and statistics, something that is time-consuming with the current system. For example, Wilson said, its mapping program would allow him to pinpoint where more crime is occurring, and use that information to target patrol areas.

It also would save on man-hours, the chief said. Processing for a typical arrest can take an officer four to five hours. He estimates the new system would cut that to two hours.

It would also interface with the town's justice system records, saving time spent re-inputting information.

Wilson proposed the system last year, then at a cost of $700,000. That package included mobile units in all police cars, something he said could be added later.

The town board will meet again with Wilson before taking up the project for a vote.