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Baltimore Unveils New Crime-Fighting Tool

A new mobile command post will give law enforcement agencies the ability to communicate and share data in the field.

BALTIMORE -- Last week, Mayor Martin O'Malley and Police Commissioner Edward Norris unveiled the Police Department's latest weapon in fighting crime.

City officials showed off the newest addition to Baltimore's law enforcement fleet -- a mobile command post. The truck is 13 feet tall, 45 feet long, seven feet wide and is equipped with all of the necessary technology and equipment to allow full functionality within the field.

The mobile command post is equipped with a sophisticated communication system that allows the department to interface with local law enforcement, city agencies and federal agencies. Staff in the command center can access to law enforcement databases to conduct record checks, such as warrants, motor vehicle information and the NCIC.

The command vehicle cab also work in coordination with another one of the department's key crime-fighting tools -- Foxtrot, the helicopter. By using a microwave downlink, the helicopter can be tracked by the command vehicle. Two external viewing cameras will be utilized for surveillance.

The Baltimore Police Department has received substantial support from the private sector to acquire the command vehicle. The Baltimore Police Foundation donated $300,000 to the Baltimore Police Department to initiate production of the vehicle.

The remaining cost of $600,000 was funded through federal and state grants.

The Campbell Group, a local advertising agency, donated the creative work for the design on the command vehicle.

"The command vehicle will be instrumental and extremely beneficial to crime-fighting and provide technological support to our officers in the field," Norris said.

Officials said the mobile command post will be used during crisis situations, emergencies and special events.

Office of Mayor Martin O'Malley