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| Sheriff Dave Dalrymple waits to make his presentation. Immediately behind him are Police Chiefs Carl Scalzo (Easton) and Larry Palmer (Palmer). |
Its technical name is the Regional Intelligence and Investigative Center (RIIC) or Regional Crime Center, and has been in existence since 2012. But despite its regional application, which has extended to police departments in Bethlehem and Easton, there's been no regional support. Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin has been forced, year after year, to ask Lehigh County Commissioners to fund this crime-fighting tool.
The main obstacle in Northampton County was then Sheriff Randy Miller. But there's a new Sheriff in town. David Dalrymple, who actually ran the Intelligence Section of the New Jersey State Police, is well aware of the use of computers to aggregate data and solve crimes. He calls the RIIC "a step beyond" what he saw in New Jersey.
At their March 28 meeting, Dalrymple stood in front of Northampton County's nine-member Gaming Board on March 28 to seek $407,000 in slots revenue so that Northampton County can formally become a part of the RIIC. Informally, Lehigh County DA Jim Martin has already been making the Regional Crime Center's services available to Northampton County's police departments in Bethlehem and Easton..
Dalrymple spoke both as Sheriff and on behalf of the Northampton County Police Chiefs' Association, which recently voted unanimously to support the RIIC. Police Chiefs Mark DiLuzio (Bethlehem), Guy Lesser (Lower Saucon), Larry Palmer (Palmer Tp), Carl Scalzo (Easton) and Robert Shupp (Hellertown) were in the audience and acknowledged by Gaming Chair Jay Finnigan. In addition to the police chiefs, about half of Northampton County's Assistant District Attorneys were also present, showing their support.
Earlier this year, Northampton County DA John Morganelli announced that Northampton County had signed on to a digital forensics lab established at DeSales University by Lehigh County DA Jim Martin in 2011. At that time, Morganelli expressed his desire to join the Regional Crime Center, using gaming funds.
What is the RIIC?
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| DAs Jim Martin, John Morganelli agree on RIIC, Digital Forensics Lab |
A perfect example of the Regional Crime Center's value is the 2013 investigation of Ulysses "Slime" Rodriguez. He was convicted in a shooting death earlier that year, outside of Scoobies Gentlemen's Club. Rodriguez was observed leaving the scene in a vehicle with taillights that started at the roof and got wider toward the middle of the vehicle. It could only be a Volvo or a Honda CRV.
Examination of prison records at the Regional Crime Center revealed just a few jail visitors drove those models, and the getaway car was soon identified. The vehicle's owner only knew Rodriquez as "Slime", but RIIC review of millions of incident reports quickly revealed that "Slime" was none other than Rodriquez.
Sheriff Dalrymple explained that the $407,000 sought will enable Northampton County's 30 police departments to integrate the information from their incident reports and investigative files with Lehigh County's 17 police departments, state and federal agencies, and data from both county jails.
In addition to enabling police in the Slate Belt to understand what is happening in Emmaus, Dalrymple stated that the Regional Crime Center will make them aware of trends and will provide timely investigative support that is currently unavailable to most departments.
Dalrymple explained that if someone committed a crime in the meeting room, he could forward the surveillance camera images to the RIIC, and in-house analysts would them provide them to every police department in the Lehigh Valley. "We could immediately get input," he noted, instead of having a detective make calls and send images to a newspaper.
Dalrymple told James Pennington that crime centers are "commonplace," nationally. But he said that what makes the RIIC unique and valuable are the in-house analysts who make associations and "tell you what you need to know."
"We feel passionate about this," said the Sheriff. "This is a product that will enhance immeasurably investigations, officer safety and prosecutions within the County." He added that, if he were still a young detective, the RIIC would probably have to block his calls because he'd inundate them. "It's that good," he argued.
Dalrymple assured the Gaming Board that the RIIC has been instrumental in many prosecutions and investigations arising from or related to the Sands Casino. Earlier, Fremanburg Borough Manager Judith Danko provided a study demonstrating that casinos lead to a rise in major crime after five years in business. "Basically, the impact is all around us," explained the Sheriff.
Total of $2.2 Million in Grants Sought
Dalrymple will find out on April 25 whether the Gaming Board is willing to fund all or any of the RIIC. There are numerous other applications. Altogether, over $2.2 million is being sought. Slots revenue this year is projected at just $1.7 million, according to Gaming Chair Finnigan. Gaming Board members will rate each grant request
By law, the first round of grants must go to Bethlehem, Northampton County and the five municipalities surrounding Bethlehem. These are Hanover Township, Bethlehem Township, Lower Saucon Township and Freemansburg and Hellertown. To be successful, they must show they've been impacted by gambling. If any money is left over, it can be awarded to other municipalities.
This year's other grant applications are as follows
Bethlehem. -
$88,749 - Replacement of three Lifespan 12 Cardiac Monitors (EMS Director Tom Decker explained that there were 11,652 calls last year, and 832 of them were for problems at the casino)Bethlehem Tp.
$39,935- 45 sets of body armor for EMS personnel (Decker admitted this is something new for Bethlehem, although he said they are used in Allentown.
$300,000 - Heavy Rescue Truck. (Bethlehem Tp Volunteer Fire Co. Ass't Chief Ron Ford admitted no heavy rescue truck has been needed at the casino, but Bethlehem Township is a back up provider there and is responsible for 10 1/2 square miles in the Township, including vehicles travelling to and from the casino. His department makes about 800 calls per year, and 40% are for accidents. The heavy rescue truck is used between 12-24 times per year).Freemansburg. -
$110,000. - for the retention of a police officer.
$6,813 - Tasers.
$42,400 - Two License Plate Recognition Systems. (Bethlehem Township already has four. Gerald Yob said he had just read that day that the state will be offering grants to local police departments, and CPT Gregory Gottschall agreed that some state funding might be available).
$73,854 - Public safety software. (CPT Gregory Gottschall explained this funding would help the Township integrate with the RIIC).
$104,723 - Two police vehicles. (Manager Melissa Shafer said there's applications to Monroe County for another four cruisers. CPT Gregory Gottschall stated that five or six cruisers are on patrol during peak hours)
$110,000 - Full Time Police Officer. (Manager Judith Danko explained that major crime is now increasing in her borough, including an armed robbery, nine burglaries and even counterfeiting during 2015. There were also 47 DUIs last year.)Hanover Tp.
$50,633 - Ford Police Interceptor operated by Colonial Regional PoliceHellertown.-
$219,150 - Two police officers.Lower Saucon. -
$164,777 - Ambulance for Dewey Fire Company (replacing 11 year old vehicle. Dewey Ambulance responded to the casino six times last year.)
$105,438 - Police officer.Northampton County. -
$37,571 - Police vehicle.
$60,603 - Fire police vehicle (replaces 2006 ambulance with 212,000 miles)
$196,116 - for Coroner equipment modernization, including portable X-ray machines Coroner Zach Lysek discussed the possibility of a tragedy like a casino bus or even a school bus flipping over. "We need to be prepared for when it happens," he said.The Gaming Board members who will rate and decide on these applications are Joe Kelly (Bethlehem), Tom Nolan (Bethlehem Tp), Gerald Yob (Freemansburg), Jay Finnigan (Hanover), Dave Heintzelman (Hellertown), Dave Willard (Lower Saucon), Tony Pristash (Northampton), John Dally (Pen Argyl) and James Pennington (Lower Nazareth).
$10,000 - Interpreter Fees. Court Administrator Jill Smith explained that the County does have an in-house Spanish interpreter, but paid $38,720 last year for interpreters in other languages. She indicated there's been a rise in the need for Asian language and Indian language interpreters, largely as a result of the casino.
$100,442 - Gambling Addiction Treatment and Support. Drug and Alcohol Administrator Tiffany Rossanese explained that her department did 967 gambling screenings last year, and 10% of those were identified as being at risk, which is twice the national average and five times what Northampton County was before the casino. The funding provided to the County goes to education at the schools and faith-based institutions, and provides transitional housing to people who have lost their homes as a result of gambling.
So much BS. The only legitimate uses are for a crime center and poor Drug and Alcohol. This BS committee was a feel good invention of political insides to spread the money around the county. Everyone wants a piece of the pie. The legitimate use should be for the "impact" of a casino. That would be crime and human services. Stop all the other crap.
ReplyDeleteThis is what happens when politicians take care of each other.
Almost every grant application is for crime, pubic safety and human services. So I don't know what you're talking about.
ReplyDeletePublic safety is used in the broadest sense for just about anything. A damn grab bag for insiders.
ReplyDeleteLets get tougher on drugs and use that money to support the regional program. Using gaming is the easy way out
ReplyDeleteImpact fees should really go to county Human Services. Too bad they are used for all this other stuff. Never the original intent. The county really messed up when this passed.
ReplyDeleteThe gaming money should be not be a budget filler for basic services such as overtime and salaries. It should be supplemental funding to enhance a department.
ReplyDeleteBethlehem Township needs a bigger and more expensive heavy rescue than FDNY's Rescue #1, the busiest heavy rescue in the world? Please explain THAT.
ReplyDeleteis that 2 million+ start-up money, or an annual requirement?
ReplyDeleteBethlehem Township has not shown an impact for any of their requests. If they get one dime this year someone should sue this board. Bethlehem township has received more than 14 new cars for the police department and their actual impact from the casino that is verified is zero%
ReplyDeleteOn another note, we need to Undo what Lisa Boscolla and John Stoffa did and we need to take the money back from Allentown and Lehigh County. We are giving them money in a "share" agreement and i have not seen them once have a grant meeting for impact from the casino. This needs to be fixed or they need to get rid of the NIZ etc and give NORCO an even playing field for new development and office rentals.
"Lets get tougher on drugs ..."
ReplyDeleteReally? The US has the highest prison population in the world. Most of that population is there because of drug-related offenses. We already spend billions on the war on drugs. And how's the war going? Is addiction better or worse these days? Is associated crime better or worse these days? "Let's get tougher on drugs," really means, "Let's get more stupid on drugs by spending even more of the grandkids' money on a spectacular governmental failure."
bullets are cheaper.
ReplyDelete749. Please explain why Northampton County takes money from a Monroe County? Eliminate the exclusivity A Bethlehem has on gaming and then we can talk about "even playing field". Why single out Allentown and not Easton? Allentown was competing for a gaming license and the share agreement was to make a win win settlement.
ReplyDelete"The main obstacle in Northampton County was then Sheriff Randy Miller." I don't know where you got this "fact", however, the impeding source was none other than John Morganelli. It is no secret that Martin and Morganelli, personally, do not get along. Morganelli often would tell the Police Chiefs that, not one dime was going to the regional intelligence center in Lehigh County. All the Chiefs in Northampton County fell in line with their own DA. The ADAs were not allowed to comment on this program. They also fell in line with their own DA. Martin would travel to different places to access revenue for his program. But Morganelli would not relent. Only until recently, did Morganelli give the green light. That is why you now have the Police Chiefs and the ADAs climbing on board. If I'm not telling the truth, then why didn't this happen sooner?
ReplyDeleteIt's a fact.Miller authored a memo that opposed participation in the RIIC as too costly to the county in comparison to the benefits to be derived, and wanted to focus instead on a shared information system available to the county. I think this was an unfortunate display of parochialism. Randy Miller at that time was the president of the Chiefs' Association and steered them away from this topic. Those are the facts.
ReplyDeleteI am unaware that any Assistant DA was under orders not to discuss the regional crime center and find that claim very hard to believe. There were a large number if Assistants on hand yesterday, led by the Chief Deputy.
Morganelli always supported a regional crime center, but just never wanted the funding to be taken directly from his budget. He explained this at a news conference in January to which he invited Lehigh County's DA. I find it odd that he would invite Martin to a joint news confeerence praise him and sign on to a digital forensics lab if he did not get along with him.
"The county really messed up when this passed."
ReplyDeleteUn fairness, the County did not pass the state gaming law, and it is state law that directed the establishment of an authority for the distribution of slots revenue, but not table games revenue. The state legislation provides for "impact" grants with absolutely no guidance on what constitutes impact. The none-member Gaming Board is an unelected group of volunteers who do their best to divide funding among municipalities impacted by gaming,and by law must first award to the surrounding municipalities. The state law is inadequate and disparate in many ways, but that is something to take up with the state legislature, not the County or the Gaming Board.
The "bullets are cheaper" or "Let's get tougher on drugs" arguments are completely ridiculous in the context of the need for a regional crime center. How can you get tougher on drugs without first learning who is involved? Are you supposed to use cheap bullets to just go out and shoot people you think are guilty, with no evidence. The value of a RIIC is it enables police to solve crime, which knows no jurisdictional boundaries. You can see it along Rte 22 from NYC, thanksto the RIIC, and can identify trends like a robber who always uses a silver gun holding up convenience stores within a short distance of exit ramps.
ReplyDelete" Bethlehem township has received more than 14 new cars for the police department and their actual impact from the casino that is verified is zero% "
ReplyDeleteA lot of the traffic going to and from the casino goes right through Bethlehem Tp. It is definitely impacted. Unfortunately, the state law does not explain how you demonstrate impact.
When I was a Police Chief in the upper part of the County, Your asshole buddy Seyfried tried to do the same thing except he hid it stating he wanted a regional "police Center" where all police officers would be tested for competency and shooting skills. He attached it to a "public shooting range" concept and later a " County Wide 911 Center". Bethlehem didn't want it either. It failed on its own merits and later Seyfried failed to get re-elected because this was nothing more than trying to get the camels nose under the tent. It was a power grab that failed and your buddy was thrown out of office for obvious reasons. We don't need no friggin police center.
ReplyDeleteI pity the department that had you as Chief. Your parochial attitude is noted, but I'll bet the dag guys loved you.
ReplyDeleteIf someone farts loud enough, one or the other and most times, both Bethlehem Twp fire companies respond.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly looks like Bethlehem Township is attempting to balance their budget at the expense of the Gaming Board. How can the most antagonistic member of the board challenge all other applications and do nothing but justify his Township’s applications? Looking at your list Bernie there are only a few that could possibly be justified as being used to fight the impacts of the casino: Gambling Addiction Treatment and Support, Interpreter Fees, police officers and vehicles.
ReplyDeleteThe RIIC and the modernization of the coroner’s office should be items that the County Executive and County Council need to be budgeting for. Why can’t the gaming money that county receives directly from gaming be used for these two projects. Meanwhile we have an executive and DA running for statewide offices that aren’t being attentive to what is needed locally. The coroner and sheriff looked like panhandlers.
Watch the video: http://nccvid.northamptoncounty.org/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=480&doctype=AGENDA
Tom Nolan talks to hear himself and never waits to be acknowledged by the chair. Same thing at BT meetings. Never courteous.
DeleteBecause the word impact is not really defined, it is possible to argue that nothing presents an impact or that everything presents an impact. The slots games revenue can be used to fund at least some of the funding for the RIIC, with the rest of the money coming from table games revenue, where no impact need be shown.
ReplyDelete"If someone farts loud enough, one or the other and most times, both Bethlehem Twp fire companies respond."
ReplyDeleteLet me get this straight. You're criticizing them - anonymously of course - for being too quick to respond??
914. Yes, what is impact? Is it a traffic study that fails to consider 100s of homes along a "gaming corridor"? Is it a funded traffic enforcement study that issues citations only to report these same citations as justification for next year grant application?
ReplyDeleteThe state gambling cooperative is funding the growth of the police state. I'm certain the founding fathers would be pleased.
ReplyDeleteWould you prefer a community in which one police department has no idea what is going on in the next, and in which they are unable to share information that has already been proven to be invaluable in solving crime? Maybe you'd prefer a return to dunk buckets and medieval weapons of torture, too. This regional approach is absolutely essential to solving crime and has nothing to do with a police state or the deprivation of civil liberties.
ReplyDelete@9:22,
ReplyDeleteYou obviously have no clue on what services each fire company provides. You're merely making assumptions, and we all know what happens when one assumes.
@7:49,
ReplyDeleteNorthampton County municipalities are allowed to apply for Monroe grants because of the PA gaming law. There is no gaming board in Monroe, so the grants are distributed by the Commonwealth. The rules allow for municipalities in adjacent counties to apply for grant funding. I don't believe Bucks County has a gaming board (Parx casino is in Bucks), either. So, BT could possibly apply for Bucks grants as well.
@7:12,
ReplyDeleteYou fail to show the differences between FDNY's R1 and the BT truck other than the price tag. FDNY's R1 is replaced about every 5 years. The BT truck should be in service for about 20 years before being replaced. What do 4 R1's cost, versus 1?
Maybe you'd prefer a return to dunk buckets and medieval weapons of torture, too.
ReplyDeleteNo. But medieval stocks in the public square seems reasonable. Padded with bunny fur, so as not to be cruel.
I would be surprised if the crime center receives full, if any, funding. The gaming board (informally) prefers more, smaller projects, rather than fewer, larger projects. They learned their lesson on the Freemansburg municipal building fiasco. Police cars and officers usually receive a rubber stamp, but anything else over $50K is closely scrutinized.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who attends their meetings, this Board is no rubber stamp. But I'd agree that police vehicles and salaries will all be approved. i forget the cutoff, but they have guidelines on just how much will be approved for a vehicle. I don't want to jinx the applicants, but here's what i think. All the police vehicles and ambulance requests will be approved. The salaries, believe, are cut off at $110k. The Bethlehem EMS cardio monitors will also be approved, since impact there is high. The NorCo interpreter services and Human Services grants will be approved, in their entirety. The coroner's request will be denied or only partly funded. The heavy rescue truck will be partly funded. The public safety software request will be denied or partly funded. The RIIC will be partly funded bc of the overwhelming support from law enforcement.
ReplyDeleteThe tasers and body armor will be denied. The license plate recognition systems will be denied, and BT will be urged to get its money from the state.
I never heard that the Freemansburg police station was a disaster, and thought that was a worthy and well-needed project.
Body armor for EMS workers really seems like over kill for a city like Bethlehem. Surely there is a better use and greater need for that money in Bethlehem. Bernie, I have to agree with a previous comment, Morganelli was not a fan of the crime center or Martin and was a big reason it did not happen sooner. That is just a fact.
ReplyDeleteYou have supplied no information to support your "fact." I have provided information to rebut your "fact," including (1) joint news conference with Martin; (2) Morganelli's statements; and (3) Miller's memo of opposition.
ReplyDeleteThe Freemansburg police station consumed most of the first year's restricted funding distributed by the gaming board. The project was given $825K. There were numerous change orders that happened after the building's design was approved, making the cost higher. The borough came back and was given additional money in 2012 ($343K) to complete the project.
ReplyDeleteI see.
ReplyDeleteThe real problem here is the fact that there are 47 police departments in the 2 counties.
ReplyDelete5:24, Fair point.
ReplyDeleteWill Sheriff Dave let his deputies use this enhancement? I doubt it all he cares about is his image and treats everyone like a number.
ReplyDeleteWhen money spent to stop, prevent, curtail, or mitigate crime becomes more costly than crime, I'll go with crime.
ReplyDeleteIf a $500 TV set gets stolen and it cost $600 to prevent or punish the offender, and you have to pay for both, it leaves you wondering who is the better thief?
Why stop at a regional crime center? Why not combine them all, call it a branch of the military and stop pretending we have anything but a police state?
I' ve explained the value of the RIIC, and van supply numerous examples in addition to several solved homicides. Something like a crime center actually makes a police state less necessary. Lots of people do oppose this, though. They're behind bars.
ReplyDeleteThat explanation makes it clear as to the necessity, debate or discussion is over.
ReplyDeleteoppose = criminal
Might I suggest that the money come from those communities that do not already support or contract their own local police and rely on state police resources.
Perhaps a reimbursement fund from such communities for the state police services could be a way of funding regional departments across the state.