by Brian Witte, Associated Press
BALTIMORE (AP) - Baltimore police have a new crime-fighting tool: a $900,000 truck that can be used as a roving, technology-laden police station.
The 45-foot-long mobile command center has a communications system that will enable police to tap into federal databases and work in tandem with the department’s helicopters.
“There’s absolutely no reason why we, as a free people, should ever allow drug dealers to have the upper hand with technology, with tools and with equipment,” said Mayor Martin O’Malley, standing beside the black and blue vehicle.
Police Commissioner Edward Norris said the 13-foot-tall, 7-foot-wide custom-made truck puts the city far ahead of drug dealers.
“We can watch hand-to-hand drug sales from miles away,” Norris said.
The modified MT-55 Freightliner has a conference room with video screens. Officers on board also will be able to conduct record checks for warrants and motor vehicle information. A satellite TV and microwave links mounted on telescopic poles allow officers to receive and transmit video.
No other police department has a vehicle quite like it, Norris said.
Officers will be able to bring all the resources of the police department into the streets with the vehicle, which was paid for with state and federal money, as well a $300,000 donation from the Baltimore Police Foundation, Norris said.
“What this does for is, this brings us from like the 19th century right into the 21st century we should be,” Norris said. “We can do anything in this truck we can do from police headquarters.”