For Release 03/20/07

Last week the Canton Township Board of Trustees approved the purchase of a new web site for the Canton Public Safety Department. The web site will be hosted by the Oakland County-based CLEMIS computer system. CLEMIS is a large law enforcement information network system that Canton currently participates in for its computerized dispatch, records management and in-car computer systems. Adding the web site capabilities will tie the department's main computer systems all together.

Canton Public Safety officials are excited about the new web site and some of the features it offers including crime mapping capability, video capability, and pod-cast capability. The web site will be maintained and updated by trained Public Safety personnel and will include information about the department, press releases, and monthly reports. The new site will also become an important tool in the department's effort to re-initiate the neighborhood watch program later this year, by providing residents with statistical crime data and maps for their individual neighborhoods. The web site will also provide up-to-date information on community policing efforts occurring in geographical areas of the township.

Public Safety staff also plan to use the new web site as a forum to provide a variety of information and resources on crimes against children. Community Relations Sergeant Deb Newsome states, "We would like to make our web site a one-stop shopping place for parents who are looking for crime prevention tips, information, and links to resources in regards to their children. Any useful information we come across will go on our web site."

Public Safety Director John Santomauro sees the entire project as plus for the community. "Our goal is to raise community policing to a higher level by providing readily accessible information to the public," states Santomauro.

Plans are underway and it is anticipated that the new web site will be up and running by the end of May. Notification of the new web site will be made through the local media, the FOCUS newsletter, and community access cable television.

###