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I often write about revenues the BCSO brings into the county coffers. Before I go on the my chosen topic of technology as an aid to law enforcement, I want to briefly share with you the figures I have just received on jail revenues for March. The billing process takes a little time to complete, so the money has not arrived at this writing, but will be paid to Bradley County within a few weeks. Again, this just represents a single month’s revenue.
 For the month of March, operations of the Bradley County jail netted over $290,000 for the General Fund. The Corrections Division generates revenue from a number of different sources and that revenue goes into the Bradley County General Fund; needless to say, this helps relieve the financial burden on taxpayers.
The Tennessee Department of Corrections reimbursed the county a total of $123,795 in March for housing State inmates. We are also contracted to house up to 100 non-violent Federal inmates on a daily basis. That reimbursement amount for March totaled $150,654.
The money generated by housing State inmates represents 42 percent of that March total of $293,076.67, while money generated by housing Federal inmates represents 49 percent of that total. The remaining nine percent was generated through the inmate phone system, the inmate commissary, the work release program, and the Sexual Offender Registry.
Quite often, the public focus is drawn only to the expenses of operating the Justice Center. I am glad to remind citizens that the jail also generates revenue. And, as far as the taxpayers are concerned, every dollar we earn is a dollar they save.
In addition to our efforts to contain expenses, the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office continually works to stay current with the latest technological developments as they relate to law enforcement.
I am pleased to say that the BCSO is one of the first agencies in Tennessee to adopt the TraCS system (Traffic and Criminal Software), which allows deputies to file paperless accident reports directly from the scene. In fact, we were involved in that pilot program and our Mobile Data System (MDS) allows deputies in the field to file reports, verify IDs, run plates and driver’s license histories, and check for outstanding warrants. This is a savings in paper costs, obviously; but more important, considering the high cost of gasoline, it helps conserve fuel, as the deputies are not continually driving back and forth to the Sheriff’s Office to fill out and file reports.
Cameras are invaluable in documenting incidents whenever a deputy has to pull someone over, as one never knows when a routine stop might turn into something more serious. Currently, there are 32 patrol cars equipped with cameras, but our goal is to see every patrol car outfitted. The eleven new patrol cars that were recently put into service all have dash cams, as well as many other technical upgrades. All these new technical additions will become standard in any new cars we acquire.
Video technology has also allowed us to pursue other less-lethal options, such as new tazers that are equipped with cameras. The tazer cameras automatically engage whenever the tazer is put into use and preserves an objective video record of everything that happens while the weapon is in use. This is important for the protection of the public as well as the deputy.
Radios cell phones are commonplace, but they remain a valuable tool in crime fighting and public safety. Technology makes it possible for deputies in the field to transmit reports directly to a server, which offers supervisors immediate access to field reports. If necessary, the supervisor can then send these files on to a reporting clerk who can, in turn, log the information into a state data base. The system also has GPS, which allows us to track patrol cars in real time to determine their locations in the event of an emergency.
Additionally, we have had a wireless network inside the Justice Center ever since we moved into the new building. This is a secure system that cannot be accessed without proper authorization and is important to the timely exchange of information. The National Crime Information Computer (NCIC) is another important tool for accessing criminal histories and is part of a national network.
The BCSO has always tried to be on the forefront of technology and we will continue to do so. Bradley County is growing daily and facing challenges that couldn’t even be anticipated 10 years ago. One of the most effective tools at our disposal is information technology, and the BCSO will continue to remain progress, proactive and autonomous in order to safeguard the security of all our citizens.
To learn more about the operations at the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, log onto our website at: www.bradleysheriff.com. If you would like to contact me personally, email: comments@bradleysheriff.com.
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