Duncan and Moose Announce New Efforts to Comply with Department of Justice Agreement; Police Officers to Receive Handheld Computers With Specially Designed Software

Header--Montgomery County, Maryland. Press Releases

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Contact: Bill O'Toole, 240-773-5030 (Police Department)
Donna Bigler, 240-777-6537 (Public Information Office)
Marnie Funk, 703-734-1500 (MC²)

For Immediate Release: June 26, 2000

Duncan and Moose Announce New Efforts to
Comply with Department of Justice Agreement;
Police Officers to Receive Handheld Computers
With Specially Designed Software

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan and Police Chief Charles A. Moose announced today that the County is making another installment in its efforts to fully comply with the U.S. Department of Justice Agreement regarding the documentation of all traffic stops.

Under a contract with Mobile Commerce and Computing of Reston, Va., the County will be providing police officers with small handheld computers loaded with a newly-designed software program to gather relevant traffic stop data. The units - which are 3" x 5" in size, and are only ½ inch thick -- will also make it easier for officers to access useful telephone numbers, daily crime information, traffic issues and community concerns, portions of the criminal code, and department directives. The pocket-sized personal computers will also help them maintain calendars of court dates and public meetings.

Mobile Commerce and Computing (MC²) designed the software program -- called TRAFFIC STOP -- which will be used by the Montgomery County Police Department to document the age, race, gender and other relevant information on all traffic stops in the County.

"I am pleased that this new technology will help the Montgomery County Police Department implement the Department of Justice agreement and give our officers the tools they need to more efficiently go about their work," said County Executive Douglas M. Duncan.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) agreement requires complete documentation of all traffic stops to ensure non-discriminatory law enforcement practices. The handheld computers will simplify the process of collecting the data.

"This is an opportunity for our police officers to use state-of-the-art technology to collect data in an accurate manner, and to take advantage of other useful applications," said Moose. "The bottom line is that the citizens of this County will benefit from a more efficient and effective police force."

"I created Mobile Commerce and Computing to help business and government do more, do it more effectively and do it on the move," said Bob Michels, CEO of MC². "This is an ideal example of what MC² is all about. It's particularly meaningful to me that TRAFFIC STOP is having a positive social impact in one of our neighboring counties."

The County's $373,000 contract with MC² will provide the Police Department with 1,200 Compaq Arrow 1550 Pocket PCs, loaded with the software that will eliminate the need for officers to spend valuable time filling out forms. The information can be easily transferred back to the Police Department's database at the end of the day. The hardware and software will be delivered starting July 1, and training will be provided to officers during the next few weeks. Data collection will begin August 1.

About MC²

Contact: Marnie Funk, Rockey & Rockwell, 703-734-1500
Marnie@rockeyrockwell.com

MC² (www.mobilecommerceandcomputing.com) is a young m-commerce ASP (Application Service Provider) that designs innovative mobile solutions for businesses and government.

In addition to the law enforcement applications, MC² focuses on providing thin-client applications that interface wirelessly with Internet content providers.

MC² has forged partnerships with Microsoft, Booz-Allen and Hamilton and others.

MC² is located at 11951 Freedom Drive, Suite 1300, Reston, Virginia, 20190. For information about the company, phone 703-251-4848 or email info@mobilecommerceandcomputing.com.

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