Monroe police use Skype, lead technology charge

Skype is a program traditionally used for video-chatting with friends and family, but recently the Monroe Police Department has started using the service in a new way.

During the two ice storms that struck northern Louisiana recently, the department sent technology officers out into the field and used Skype to stream real-time video of road conditions back to Chief of Police Quentin Holmes and other administration members at their command center.

"They were able to go out and show us an 18-wheeler that was jackknifed and how it affected travel," police spokesman Detective Reggie Brown said. "The chief and staff are able to see it and direct resources. Rather than relying on officer's observations alone, they can see the actual scene to make a better observation."

Brown said the program was also used to decide whether to close roads.

"During the storm, that was the first time we were able to do that," he said. "We realized it was a huge importance … of being able to see real-time what's going on in the community while manning our emergency operation center."

Not only is the program good for the department, but since the program is free and can be downloaded on nearly any device, it's also good on the bank account, Brown said.

Brown said the program helps keep Holmes as informed as possible in the command center.

"He has to stay there with his staff so they can be able to direct from a controlled environment where you have phone lines and staff," Brown said. "He has to be in a controlled environment where … he can make intelligent decisions. Going out to the scene would be a hindrance rather than a benefit as it relates to something he needs to do."

Other local agencies, such as the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office and West Monroe Police Department, rely on officer's accounts of the situation.

"The patrol division operates 24/7, so we always have deputies in the field monitoring road conditions," sheriff's office spokesman Glenn Springfield said. "We're also constantly talking with (Louisiana State Police) and (Monroe and West Monroe) police departments on road conditions. The state police disseminates their information on highways."

Monroe Police Department may be leading the technological charge with the implementation of Skype, but all three agencies have started a major social media push.

The three agencies communicate with the community members on Facebook and Twitter to get out information as fast as possible.

"This (storm) was the first time that we were really able to use Facebook and also Twitter to reach the public," Brown said. "We were able to see how many people we actually reach. During the course of the storm, we had posts that we sent out with information where we got as high as 25,000 views."

The local agencies also use a program called Nixle, which helps put out information to the public.

Brown said the technology advances of the Monroe Police Department have been a major help.

"(Skype and social media) are two things that we've taken advantage of, technology-wise," he said. "It has proven to be very, very valuable."

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