August 9, 2008

By Mike Wendland, Free Press Columnist

It's sure not bling like the flashy jewelry that characterized Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's early days, but the new black plastic GPS tether the mayor is now wearing around his ankle is the latest in electronic monitoring device technology, able to pinpoint his location in real time, down to a couple dozen feet.

Kilpatrick was fitted with the device Friday afternoon at the Wayne County Sheriff's downtown jail, said department spokesman John Roach. The mayor's tether comes from Omnilink, an Alpharetta, Ga.-based company that also provides similar gear for Oakland County and other Michigan jurisdictions.
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ABC12, WJRT-TV Mid-Michigan

ABC WJRT- TV coverage of how GPS tracking technology, like Omnilink's, could have prevented domestic violence that led to the death of a Mt. Pleasant, Michigan woman.  This case has led to the creation of "Mary's Law" whereby:

"The court system will have the option to use a GPS tether to track an attacker.  The victim will also have one and will be alerted by phone if the attacker is close.  It's something Isabella County started using just earlier this year in severe stalking cases."

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Mobile Enterprise Magazine

"When Mecklenburg County in North Carolina experienced a sharp increase in violent crimes in 2005, a study by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) revealed a startling discovery: Most of the crimes were committed by the same people time after time. Many of these repeat offenders were out on bond at the time, with cases still pending."
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High Tech Ankle Monitors

NBC KCEN-TV coverage of how Bell County, TX Juvenile Probation Services uses Omnilink's solution to monitor juvenile offenders.

"Bell County officials will soon be able to follow juvenile offenders released from custody 24 hours a day.  Bell County is the first in the state to receive the new GPS ankle monitoring system..."

Sex Offender Tracking

CBS KLAS-TV coverage of the 90-day GPS monitoring trial conducted by the Nevada Department of Public Safety, Probation and Parole, and how the Omnilink device will work even where GPS does not.

"Well, Nevada is becoming known for the number of unregistered sex offenders who hide from the law in our communities. Now lawmakers want to put a stop to that by tracking these violent sexual predators from the moment they leave prision. That means strapping a monitoring device on them that will tell police exactly where they are..."

January 28, 2008

The Truro Daily News

"A Truro man given up by his electronic ankle bracelet is going to jail for breaking his house arrest conditions."
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January 17, 2008

The Morning Sun

"County commissioners voted Tuesday night to approve the purchase and use of GPS tethers. "
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October 03, 2007

The Times-Picayune by Laura Maggi

"One of three juvenile offenders who escaped from custody Monday was caught that night across the street from his home, while police continued to search for two other teenagers who busted out of handcuffs and leg irons while being transported for a court hearing."
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October 03, 2007

The Times-Picayune by Laura Maggi

"One of three juvenile offenders who escaped from custody Monday was caught that night across the street from his home, while police continued to search for two other teenagers who busted out of handcuffs and leg irons while being transported for a court hearing."
Read more about how Omnilink partner TSAP was able to help authorities find one of the teenagers who was wearing an Omnilink offender monitoring device.

September 20, 2007

Mobile Enterprise Magazine, September 2007

"Celebrities, as of late, have brought vital status services (VSS) to the attention of the mainstream...Leaders in Community Alternatives (LCA), a San Francisco organization that works with the public sector to create custom programs that promote a more successful criminal justice system, is a proponent of a GPS-enabled ankle cuff made by Omnilink. Linda Connelly, president and founder of LCA, considers the returns on investment to be numerous and diverse."
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July 2007

Law Enforcement Technology Magazine, July 2007

May 24, 2007

Using RFID

"The Juvenile Probation Board of Hale County, Texas, USA, has chosen Omnilink Systems to provide electronic juvenile offender monitoring services for several county youth that are on probation."
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April 29, 2007

Plainview Daily Herald by Richard Orr

It can’t be removed. It can’t be fooled. It makes judges happy. It saves tons of taxpayer money. And it seems almost too good to be true.

"It" is the Omnilink GPS ankle monitor seven of the juvenile probation department's 100 or so probationers have been wearing for the past few weeks.

The new monitor, which the department began using early this month, relays a signal to a satellite as often as every three minutes and can record a probationer’s every move — 24 hours a day, seven days a week, rain or shine, indoors and out. In cars and buses, too."

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April 23, 2007

Plainview Daily Herald by Richard Orr

"Why it's Fierce: Omnilink Systems is a pioneer in a relatively new industry segment—vital status solutions, or VSS. The firm uses a combination of GPS, cellular technology, RFID, and situation-specific sensors to monitor the vital status of people and things that can move. In one of its more innovative applications, Omnilink is working with the Rocky Mountain Offender Management Systems to provide electronic monitoring of offenders. Specifically, Omnilink's advanced forward link trilateration is used to track and monitor offenders in real-time, even when they're are inside buildings or on buses or trains. The technology allows the offenders to be monitored and it ensures their compliance and accountability per the requirements of the judicial system."
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March 14, 2007

Computerworld by Matt Hamblen