For immediate release: December 14, 2007
Contact: sauerbach@nextgenweb.org, 202-777-3701

Broadband Applications Credited For Helping to Reduce Crime

WASHINGTON DC – NextGenWeb.org today posted an exclusive podcast interview with Mayor Graham Richard of Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

When Mayor Richard ran for office in 2000, he quickly recognized the powerful improvements high-speed Internet would bring to all sectors of the community- economic, health, education and public safety. Early in his administration, Mayor Richard formed a team dedicated to incorporating technology into the community’s public safety programs. In a few short years, this task force has created a highly mobile and efficient first responder community.

These initiatives created through the use of broadband technology have lowered crime in the Ft. Wayne area to the lowest level in 27 years. Since 2001, the community has had a steady decrease in the crime rate. This year Ft. Wayne experienced a 5.5% decline.

Broadband access in Ft. Wayne has led to the establishment of the following public safety initiatives:

• Firehouse College: Firefighters connect with online educational resources while they are in-between response calls. By educating the firefighters and leveraging their time with training, the community is creating a better prepared and efficient group of first responders.
• Training: A brand new, $27 million high-tech facility was built in Ft. Wayne to coordinate collaborative communication efforts between the 5,000 public safety volunteers in the local five county region. This coordination center has partnered with similar organizations in the country to create a national public safety community for information and best practice sharing.
• More secure and efficient ways to store and transmit data: Using remote broadband connections, public safety officials are able to send and receive data in real-time from the scene of the crime.

To listen to the complete interview, please visit www.nextgenweb.org.

NextGenWeb.org is a blog sponsored by USTelecom.

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