Local agencies look at video conferencing

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A local judge and Van Wert city and county agencies are looking at systems that could eliminate the need to transport prisoners to and from court as well as be used for training purposes.

Van Wert Municipal Court Judge Jill Leatherman has been reviewing systems that range from simple point-to-point video conferencing systems costing between $600 and $900 for video arraignments only, to systems costing approximately $50,000 and more that include SMART Boards and multiple uses, including providing training for agencies such as the Van Wert County Health Department and first responders, as well as for video arraignments.

Judge Leatherman and representatives of the Van Wert Police Department and Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department and the county health department, took a look at a higher-end system late last week that would allow for video arraignments as well as provide a number of other services.

Gennine Barnett of Cleveland Corporate Services Inc. gave a presentation last Thursday on a video-conferencing system developed by LifeSize Communications, a division of computer peripherals maker Logitech.

As presented, the system included a video center laptop computer, a SMART Board interactive whiteboard that could also be used as a high-definition monitor and video equipment that would allow video conferencing between the court and jail and to provide online training to local law enforcement and EMS/fire departments.

Judge Leatherman said Van Wert Fire Chief Jim Steele recommended she look at a SMART Board as part of a video arraignment system, since his department currently uses SMART Board technology to provide training to city firefighters. SMART Board technology is also widely used in schools, since they provide interactive education using a computer or video projector.

Barnett demonstrated the LifeSize system, showing how it could be used to provide faster and safer video arraignments for Municipal Court, as well as save man-hours and fuel costs for local law enforcement agencies. The system could also allow local agencies to provide various types of training to their own members or, in the case of the health department, to first responders, school personnel and other agencies located in every part the county.

If a Multipoint Control Unit was included, several agencies could use the system at the same time: allowing video arraignments and training sessions to occur simultaneously.

Judge Leatherman said funding for a basic video conferencing system that would be used for video arraignments would be the least costly system, although several agencies could likely go together and purchase equipment such as the LifeSize system that would have a wider variety of functions.

The Municipal Court judge said any purchases made by her court would be paid for out of a special fund that includes a portion of money received for court fines and costs. Judge Leatherman stressed that no taxpayer dollars would be used for the project.

Judge Leatherman said having a video conferencing system for arraignments would not only save money now being spent to transport prisoners, but would also allow law enforcement personnel now transporting prisoners to return to enforcement duties.

“Video arraignments would not only save money and time, they would also provide a more secure environment in the courtroom,” the judge noted, adding that law enforcement officers would also be safer, since often one officer must transport several prisoners to court.

Judge Leatherman said no decision has been made on what system might be purchased, adding that other systems might also be considered before a final decision is forthcoming.

Barnett stressed that her LifeSize could also provide grant-writing expertise to the county to seek state or federal funding to help pay for the project.