Vinton Police Discover Video Conferencing

ROANOKE - The Vinton Police Department here has begun using a video system to connect with the magistrate's office and eliminate the 16-mile drive from Roanoke County-Salem Jail in Salem to the 23ard Judicial District office.

Officers and their suspects can now sit in front of a television screen and talk to the magistrate while seeing him on the screen. The system will save thousands of miles of driving hundreds of personnel hours, police officials say. Previously, officers had to make the 16-mile drive, then, if the magistrate decided not to lock up the suspect, the officer had to drive the suspect back.

Since the system went into effect about a month ago, it's been used two or three times a day, officials say. Both officers and the magistrates were a little apprehensive of the new technology at first, however.

When an officer brings in an arrestee, he calls the magistrate to make sure the system is set up on both ends. Then, using a remote control, they dial onto the system. Within seconds, each side is up on the other's screen. The magistrate can question the suspect as he enters information on a warrant form on the computer screen.