ELECTRONIC BULLETIN BOARDS: A NEW RESOURCE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT By Seth F. Jacobs Director, Research Statistics Program SEARCH Group, Inc. and David J. Roberts Deputy Director, Programs SEARCH Group, Inc. The National Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics Sacramento, California The past decade witnessed an unprecedented growth in the power and speed of microcomputers, while the size and cost of this technology diminished steadily. The convergence of these seemingly contradictory trends (increasing power, decreasing price) enabled even small law enforcement agencies to implement sophisticated microcomputer systems. At the same time, the technical expertise of law enforcement personnel grew significantly. In addition to using a broad range of commercially available computer hardware and software, law enforcement personnel increasingly developed their own software applications for such police functions as records management, crime analysis, fleet maintenance, and manpower scheduling, to name but a few. And in the years to come, as computer usage in law enforcement continues to expand, and personnel become technologically sophisticated, the use of microcomputers as vehicles for information exchange will increase significantly. One key area of growth in this regard is the electronic bulletin board system geared to the needs of criminal justice practitioners. WHAT A BBS CAN PROVIDE An electronic bulletin board system (BBS) enables users to exchange information, post notices, send and receive electronic mail, share software, and query online databases. Like the traditional wall-bound bulletin board, a BBS serves as a central meeting place for information exchange and resource sharing. With no more than a microcomputer, a modem, and a communications package, criminal justice agencies, regardless of size or location, can access a variety of BBS systems, which serve as national communication networks. By providing easy access and remote communication, BBS systems foster the development of an informal technical assistance network through which criminal justice practitioners of all levels of expertise can assist each other on a broad range of topics. Thousands of these bulletin board systems exist in the United States, supporting everything from computer games to the information needs of major corporations. Among these systems are hundreds of criminal justice-oriented bulletin boards. Local police departments, Federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, private companies, and private citizens operate these bulletin board systems, which were identified through an informal survey conducted by the authors. The availability of low-cost, shareware bulletin board packages that operate on microcomputers enables small agencies, or even individuals, to access bulletin boards. Electronic Mail Electronic mail, or "e-mail," enables users to exchange (i.e., both send and receive) messages with other bulletin board users. Messages can be addressed to a specific person, or to all system users. Most bulletin boards have a central message area for exchange of e-mail on general topics. Some bulletin boards also maintain one or more specialized "conferences" that users can join to exchange information on specific topics (e.g., DNA profiling and artificial intelligence). These conferences operate as mini-BBS systems, sharing messages only among registered conference members, and typically have chairpersons or moderators, who keep messages focused on the specific agenda of the conference. Electronic mail dramatically expands the technical assistance resources available to users by linking criminal justice practitioners throughout the Nation. The operational experience of users on a variety of issues can easily be shared, creating an "institutional memory" that allows departments to build upon each other's work. Unlike structured information systems, there are few restrictions on the substance or format of electronic mail messages. Any questions or ideas that can be expressed in written form can be entered. (1) Bulletin board systems function as effective delivery mechanisms for technical assistance among criminal justice agencies throughout the Nation. However, BBS systems do more than just facilitate communication. They encourage the development of an "electronic community" through which users can freely exchange information that may not otherwise be available, or would be too time-consuming to obtain through conventional channels. Software Bulletin board systems also serve as a central repository for software applications developed by operational users. Typically, such programs are not broadly disseminated, though they frequently have application beyond the agency for which they are developed. (2) Since law enforcement agencies frequently face similar information management issues, a solution developed by one agency may be relevant to the operation of others. Practitioners who develop their own software often share it with others at little or no cost. Some developers leave their software in the public domain, free to anyone who may find it of value, while others request payment through a nominal registration fee. The registration fee may also entitle the user to system documentation and free upgrades. This latter form of software is commonly referred to as "shareware." Although the cost of shareware systems is typically very low, the quality sometimes rivals commercial software applications. Examples of effective criminal justice shareware packages currently available include a traffic citation system, a patrol car allocation package, and an intelligence database. Bulletin boards also provide direct communication among software users, and between users and developers. This communication encourages users to share utilities and other routines developed as adjuncts to operating systems, as well as the modification and development of shareware packages along lines most useful to the criminal justice community. Over several years, the cumulative impact of this increased feedback and reduced duplication could dramatically improve the quality of criminal justice shareware. Database "Doors" Another feature of bulletin board systems is their ability to provide users with online access to databases through "doors" that link the two systems. A database is an organized collection of data, such as mailing lists, field interrogation cards, or crime reports. Properly constructed, a computerized database functioning as part of an information storage and retrieval system allows authorized users to obtain needed information quickly. Although the criminal justice system is just beginning to exploit this capability, it is clear that almost any information that can be stored in a database can be accessed through a bulletin board. A database currently available to criminal justice practitioners is the Automated Index of Criminal Justice Information Systems. (3) The Automated Index enables criminal justice practitioners to identify quickly and easily information systems appropriate to their needs. It contains detailed information on criminal justice agencies (e.g., size and structure, computer hardware and operating systems, automated functions, and the criminal justice software packages used by each agency), as well as commercial and shareware information systems (e.g., required hardware and operating systems, support services and product features, modules available, and a list of agencies currently using the software). The Automated Index enables users to identify systems that meet specific criteria and to talk with agencies currently using those systems. Publications Electronic bulletin boards also function as extremely low-cost disseminating points for publications. Published periodicals, court opinions, and administrative orders can be placed on the system as soon as the text is finalized. Users may read articles online or download any or all articles of interest. While the actual layout of an electronic version may differ slightly from the hardcopy (e.g., photographs will not be included), the substance of each article--the text--is the same. Electronic dissemination of reports is especially effective for governmental agencies whose principle goal is to maximize dissemination of information rather than generate sales. In fact, several criminal justice agencies already disseminate their publications through a bulletin board. (4) Their readers gain immediate access to publications, and this dissemination is accomplished at a much lower cost than for printed materials. EQUIPMENT To access a bulletin board system, a user must have a microcomputer or terminal, a modem, a communications package, and a telephone line. As long as the communications package is properly configured, (5) virtually any microcomputer can be used to log onto any bulletin board system without regard to the hardware in use by the host. It might not be possible, however, for a local microcomputer to take full advantage of a bulletin board system operating on a radically different host computer. CONCLUSION Microcomputer-based bulletin board systems dedicated to the criminal justice profession offer a responsive and cost-effective means of addressing the information needs of law enforcement agencies. Available 24 hours a day, criminal justice bulletin boards provide a computer-based forum for officers to communicate, receive, and provide technical assistance, share software, review articles, and query criminal justice databases. By creating this "electronic community," bulletin boards enable law enforcement professionals to work together to find common solutions to their information needs. FOOTNOTES (1) Message length limitations, however, do exist, but vary, among systems. Additionally, some BBS administrators may impose content limitations on messages. (2) Shareware packages occasionally are infected with computer viruses. While recipients should always check software and ensure that adequate protections exist, the risk of such problems can be greatly reduced by obtaining shareware only from reputable bulletin board systems. (3) The Automated Index of Criminal Justice Information Systems is available via the SEARCH-BBS (916) 392-4640. In addition, data from the automated index has been compiled in a publication, "1990 Directory of Automated Criminal Justice Systems, Volumes I-V." Each volume is dedicated to a specific discipline in criminal justice: Corrections (vol. I); courts (vol. II); law enforcement (vol. III); probation and parole (vol. IV); and prosecution (vol. V). The directories are available from the National Criminal Justice Reference Service at (800) 851-3420. (4) Selected reports of the U.S. Department of Justice are available through the NCJRS BBS, which can be reached at (301) 738-8895. The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin is available through the SEARCH-BBS, as are press releases and selected publications of the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, and the Bureau of Justice Assistance. Selected articles from the Court Technology Bulletin, a publication of the National Center for State Courts, are also available on the SEARCH-BBS. (5) A communications package is a software program that establishes the linkage between the local and remote computer by setting several parameters. Most users will be able to log onto a bulletin board system if the databit, stopbit, and parity parameters are set properly. Most bulletin board systems use 8 databits, 1 stopbit, and no parity. A few, CompuServe for example, use 7 databits, 1 stopbit, and even parity.  Downloaded From P-80 International Information Systems 304-744-2253