Local police agencies are going to gain the ability to snoop through each other's police files and records.
The East Lansing Police Department has teamed up with Williamston, Mason, Meridian Township, MSU, Ingham County and Lansing Township to use a software system enabling them to share information.
The data-sharing system, which is being installed by the North Carolina-based VisionAIR, will give the municipalities the opportunity to view files on arrests, 911 calls and criminal investigations.
"It's almost like all the clouds are blowing into place and we're taking advantage of a lightening strike," said East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert at the March 28 contract signing.
Sharing information between departments isn't a new practice — the departments have been doing it for years, East Lansing police Capt. Kim Johnson said.
"Before, we had to ask. We had to contact (the departments) directly," Johnson said. "With this new software, the information can just automatically pop up."
The software will cost $822,240, which is made possible through the collaboration of the departments.
"Right now, sharing data isn't possible except for with a disk or a piece of paper," Wibert said. "This makes a huge difference in what we do.
"Information is at the heart of everything we do."
With the help of a federal grant received by the city of Lansing, the cost of the VisionAIR software is being split between the seven agencies at rates dependent on how large the department is, Johnson said.
Lansing, which is not involved in the file-sharing program, divvied up a larger grant and used a portion off it for the software. The city, which has its own law enforcement system, is not tied in with the partnership.
While combining with Lansing's system is something the East Lansing department foresees in the future, Johnson added there isn't a time frame for when it could occur.
"We are hoping there are some pieces of the software Lansing will want to use and integrate," Johnson said.
Tim Dempsey, East Lansing's community and economic development administrator, said the project is cheaper because the local governments are working together.
"There's been a long and strong collaboration in the Mid-Michigan area, particularly with law enforcement," Dempsey said.
