Issue No. 32

Office of Safety and Security
Transit Security Newsletter

September 2002

Chief Barry J. McDevitt retired effective June 30, 2002, after 27 years of service with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Chief McDevitt began his career with MTPD more than 27 years ago after serving in the U. S. Army as a Military Police Investigator. Chief McDevitt earned WMATA’s highest employee award in 2001 when he received the Jackson Graham Award, named for WMATA’s first General Manager. Chief McDevitt’s many contributions and innovations include the Transit Police bicycle patrol program, creation of decentralized policing practices, development of WMATA’s sensor program, implementation of the Parking Lot Observer Program, acquisition of parking lot observation towers, the use of golf carts to patrol parking lots, doubling the number of K9 officers and dog patrols, and the institution of a pickpocket prevention program. His successor is Chief Polly Hanson, the first woman to be named Police Chief at WMATA and the third woman to hold such a position at a major transit agency. For further information, call 202, 962-1051.

MARTA Police Department Awards Banquet

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Police Department held its annual awards banquet on May 14, 2002. The purpose of this event is to honor the men and women of the Department as well as those civilians who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. According to Chief Gene Wilson, it’s important to let those who have provided exceptional levels of service know how much they are appreciated by the Authority and the public. Detective Arthur Williams was named Officer of the Year for constantly working to achieve the highest level of personal performance possible. Other officers were also recognized by receiving awards for lifesaving and meritorious service. Also included as an important part of the program was a tribute to those who perished on September 11, 2001, while performing their duties. For further information, contact Lieutenant Jim Fraker at 404, 848-4919 or jfraker@itsmarta.com.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) provides funding for a number of programs. For those of you who are not aware of them, the following are brief descriptions. For further information on any of them, call the DOJ Response Center at 800, 421-6770.

OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS FUNDING

DISCRETIONARY GRANTS

Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program. This program provides funding assistance to state, local, and tribal governments for the purchase of body armor. The Bureau of Justice Assistance will match up to 50% of the cost of the armor, including costs for shipping and taxes. Vests must meet National

Convicted Offender DNA Backlog Reduction Program. This program assists states that have a backlog of convicted offender samples for DNA profiling. Funding is provided to perform rapid DNA testing on unanalyzed samples so they can be uploaded into the National DNA Index System (NDIS) through the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). For information, call 800, 421-6770.

Crime Laboratory Improvement Program. This program helps states and local crime laboratories improve and improve and expand their analysis capabilities and capacities in all forensic disciplines. For information, call 800, 421-6770.

Crime Mapping Research Fellowship Program. The National Institute of Justice supports demonstrations in crime mapping for law enforcement personnel and provides crime mapping software that is compatible with most mapping programs. NIJ’s crime mapping research program serves as clearinghouse for crime mapping research and development in he U. S. It coordinates its efforts with the Crime Mapping Technology Center at the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center—Rocky Mountains. Funding is available for both research and training. For information, call 202, 514-3431 or see www.ojp.usdoj.gov or www.ojp.usdog.gob.mrc.

Forensic DNA Research and Development Program. The goal of this NIJ program is the development of cutting-edge molecular biology methods and tools to achieve highly discriminating, reliable, economic, and rapid DNA testing. Major objectives for 1999-2003 include reducing DNA testing costs by more than 90%, from $700/test to less than $10, reducing analysis time from hours to minutes, developing inexpensive DNA test kits for laboratory use, developing standard materials for population databases, and developing innovative techniques and markers to enhance the value of DNA evidence for the criminal justice system. See www.ojp.usdoj.gov.

Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program. This program provides financial and technical assistance to states and localities to develop and implement drug courts that use a mix of treatment, testing, incentives, and sanctions to remove nonviolent offenders from the cycle of substance abuse and crime. Grant recipients can use funds to support the development of information management systems and accompanying software. Data sharing among drug courts is a primary focus of the program. For information see www.ojp.usdoj.gov/dcpo or call 202, 616-5001.

Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Discretionary Grants. These grants are awarded to state and local law enforcement and private entities for crime control and violence prevention projects. The program focuses on education and training for criminal justice personnel, techni- (continued on next page)