New York, NY – Police and firefighters will try out speedy over-the-air Internet-style computer connections in a pilot project announced by Mayor Bloomberg.
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The idea is to give police and firefighters in the field instant laptop and mobile computer access to building plans, criminal-record information, mug shots, fingerprints and other data crucial to their jobs, also safety inspectors and maintenance teams working for other city agencies – including the departments of Buildings, Consumer Affairs, Transportation and Environmental Protection – to have access to the network.
Two companies – Northrop Grumman and Motorola – will build competing test networks that cover lower Manhattan. Whichever one does the better job wins the chance to install the system citywide.
The pilot program will cost taxpayers $2.7 million and is to be up and running in six months.