The Inspector General for the
Department of Homeland Security has released a report that is highly critical
of Cook County officials for their misuse of federal funds that put faulty
cameras in countless police squad cars.
Cook County had been given $45 million to implement “Project
Shield.” The idea behind “Project
Shield” was to equip first responders with wireless cameras so they could
quickly transmit images, messages and data in case of an emergency. 138 squad cars were equipped with wireless
cameras that did not work and prevented the deployment of air bags in police
cars. Each camera cost $65,000. In addition, Cook County paid $190,000 to
Johnson Controls to make sure that the cameras worked. Shortly after they were installed Chicago
police informed suburban police agencies to not use the cameras. The report found that the program was
“ill-conceived, poorly designed and badly executed program that put the lives
of emergency responders in danger.” The
report further found that Cook County officials did not adequately plan or
manage the project to make sure that the equipment worked properly and could be
operated in an emergency situation. Many
of the towns that were part of the program ended up returning the equipment and
stopped participating in the project.
For more information about the
Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders, P.C., visit us at www.thelegaldefenders.com or call us
anytime at 1-800-228-7295.
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