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For Immediate
Release
9/23/08
Regola's Booking Center Proposal Heads to
Governor
Measure funds "one-stop" booking centers
for local police
Senator Bob Regola's proposal to help counties cover the costs of regional
police "booking centers" recently received legislative approval and is headed to
the Governor for enactment into law.
House Bill 4 includes the provisions of
Senate Bill 397, legislation introduced by Senator Regola, which allows
courts to impose a booking fee (up to $300) on those convicted of a crime
"Regional booking centers use the latest technology to provide fast and
efficient processing of criminals and make our communities safer by allowing
police to quickly identify who they have in their possession," said Sen.
Regola.
"These 'one stop shop' regional booking centers are cost effective because
they are shared by many different departments and they provide police with
access to state of the art equipment and national databases," said Sen. Regola.
"However, there is a cost to maintain this essential equipment. This
legislation allows counties to impose this fee on criminals, rather than
taxpayers."
The Westmoreland County Chiefs of Police Association -- which supports
regional booking centers in the county -- approached the Senator about the need
for legislation after being advised by the County Criminal Justice Advisory
Board that they did not have the statutory authority to impose a fee.
Booking centers, proposed for New Kensington, Murrysville, Greensburg and
Rostraver in Westmoreland County, would each contain a "Live Scan" hand scanning
device. This device takes a digital image of a defendant's palm and
fingerprints and is able to transfer that information electronically to the
Pennsylvania State Police.
"The State Police can take that information and enter it into a number of
databases nationwide to determine the defendant's identification and
background," said Sen. Regola. "This transfer of information takes only seven
minutes to complete and when it comes to law enforcement and public safety, that
speed is a vital factor."
Contact:
Nate Silcox
(717) 787-6063
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