LAKE COUNTY — The Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) received delivery of 16 “Watchguard” brand Mobile Audio Video (MAV) systems on Thursday. The systems are equipment designed to be installed in patrol vehicles that enhance law enforcement”s ability to memorialize events during the investigations.
The equipment was purchased using money provided by Assembly Bill 433 money. AB 443 is commonly known as the Rural Sheriff”s Fund.
The fund provides approximately $450,000 to rural sheriff”s departments such as Lake County”s. The total cost of the purchase of the MAV equipment was $85,608.
The system consists of an in-car video camera, in-car microphone system, a remote microphone transmitter and a data recording device.
According to Lt. Brian Martin, the system allows a deputy to record statements and video from events during the investigations. He said the information is easily saved to a DVD that can be used for subsequent review in investigations and court proceedings.
Martin said earlier versions of the MAV came equipped with VHS format recordings. “Over the years, advances in technology have produced the ability for this equipment to evolve from the VHS format to the DVD format,” he said. “The DVD format allows for clearer recordings, faster copying, the ability to store larger amounts of materials in smaller spaces and easier handling.”
Martin said that deputies that use this technology find it a valuable tool because it provides and impartial account of events. Information gathering through the use of MAVs has proven useful in securing court convictions, exonerating people who might otherwise be suspected of wrongdoing and providing training opportunities. “Many court cases have been decided without the necessity of a lengthy and costly trial because of footage captured by MAV equipment,” he said.
“This type of technology has served law enforcement”s mission to secure the public”s trust by providing officers and deputies with a tool that is capable of capturing evidence that is often times indisputable,” Sheriff Rodney Mitchell said. “The ability to capture such compelling and valuable evidence enables investigators to ensure that criminals are brought to justice and to ensure that citizens” rights are protected.”
Martin said that the LCSO has nearly all of the currently deployed patrol vehicles equipped with similar systems.
Seven patrol vehicles that were purchased last year will be equipped with the new MAV systems and nine vehicles purchased this year will also be equipped.
“The addition of these MAV systems will equip every patrol unit in our fleet with the technology,” he said.
Martin said equipping all of the patrol vehicles with MAV units has been a multi-year process. He said records indicate that the first two VHS MAV units were purchased in 2000.
