POLICE DEPARTMENT ADDS NEW SYSTEM

The Dothan Police Department has installed a new computer system which could save your life. The name: "Phase One." It works similar to caller i.d., in that in shows the telephone number of the person calling from a wireless telephone. "Its important because many times we will lose a cell phone connection or they may not be able to speak and this will give us an idea of whos calling," says Captain Jim Smith. The Dothan Police Department has been working on installing "Phase One" since 1997. Their next goal is to install "Phase Two" and they say it will be ready in 2005. With "Phase Two" well be able to actually locate the caller within 200 to 300 feet of their location," says Smith. "Phase Two" will give the dispatcher a specific coordinate, involving the exact latitude and longitude number, to help dispatchers and police locate the problem. Kim Arnold, Police Dispatcher for Dothan Communications, beleives "Phase Two" will be a big improvement. She says they receive lots of calls which involve accidents where they dont know where they are and latitude and longitude will help greatly to pinpoint an accident. And during an emergency, every second counts. JANA JACOBS-REPORTER WDHN