'In this tight economic climate, we have to rise above the jurisdictional boundaries in ways that only intelligence sharing can facilitate,' said Dow
Attorney General Paula Dow in this May 2010 file photo in Trenton.TRENTON — New Jersey authorities are encouraging cash-strapped local police departments to take advantage of state crime-fighting resources.
During a meeting in West Trenton today for about 40 agencies, State Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes said the department’s Regional Operations Intelligence Center, one of 72 nerve centers in the country that analyze and share intelligence on crime and terrorist activity, can help departments do more with less.
"If you give us a quarter’s worth of information, we’ll give you a dollar back in analysis," Fuentes said after the meeting. "That’s the return on investment these departments need right now."
For example, he said, if there’s a carjacking in Elizabeth, officers there can submit information on ballistics, vehicles or a suspect’s appearance to the state’s databases. That may turn up new information or help police spot crime trends, he said.
"We’re going to run that lead down until all the avenues are exhausted," Fuentes said. "Those are things we need to make sure departments are tapping into."
Fuentes said the state would also work with local departments to improve training on accountability, transparency and intelligence-led policing.
In the wake of mounting budget deficits, local departments across the state are facing major cutbacks in law enforcement.
Newark laid off 167 officers, and Camden may cut almost half its force if it can’t negotiate concessions with the union. Atlantic City laid off 60 officers earlier this year, but hired back 17 in recent weeks. Orange plans to lay off several officers next month.
"These are difficult economic times," Attorney General Paula Dow said. "We can help them fight local crime more effectively."
Dow said the formation of a new Law Enforcement Advisory Group will help the state track how layoffs are impacting crime rates.
"We’ll look at places where there are major withdrawals or shortages of people ... and see how we can compensate," she said.
Essex County is already taking more advantage of the Regional Operations Intelligence Center’s resources. Two detectives from the county prosecutor’s office will be stationed there to track violent crimes.
"The goal is to have more real-time sharing of information," spokeswoman Katherine Carter said.