Report to the 2007 General Assembly

Legislative Report 2

Title: Pilot Project Creating "Outposts" Areas for State Police in Rest Areas

Implementation of Pilot Project
Creating “Outpost” areas for State Police in Rest Areas

In accordance with Act 147, Section 12 (d) of the Acts of 2006, the Department of Buildings and General Services (BGS) and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) hereby submit their report to the senate and house committees on institutions concerning the implementation of a pilot outpost program located at rest areas for use by the Vermont State Police (VSP).

The mandate of this project was to provide VSP space at information centers to allow for a more discernible and enhanced state police presence along the interstate corridor.  It was further directed that the departments would establish pilot outposts in Williston at the Williston Visitor Center located on the southbound lane of Interstate 89 and at the Southeastern Vermont Welcome Center in Guilford on northbound lane of Interstate 91.

A work group comprised of members from the BGS and DPS was established to examine the elements necessary to create the outpost program.  Ed von Turkovich, Director of the Vermont Information Center Division (VICD) was assigned to lead the effort for BGS; Lieutenant Rick Hopkins was assigned to coordinate state police interests at the Guilford Welcome Center; and Captain Alan Buck coordinated state police interests at the Williston Northbound Visitor Center.  Because the project required the installation of high speed internet and computer equipment and software that was specific to VSP needs, Angela Leclerc, Information Technology Manager for the Department of Buildings & General Services and Lt. Mark Lauer, who represented the Office of Technology Services for the Vermont State Police were brought on board to assist and ensure that the technology issues of the project were addressed.  The efforts and cooperation of Bill Ward the Center Manager in Williston and Kathy Dowd the Center Manager in Guilford were important to the success of this pilot.  The BGS Engineering Division, lead by Laruen Washburn, was instrumental in the installation of high-speed internet at Guilford.

The elements identified by the joint work group as deliverables were as follows:

• That appropriate work space in the buildings for troopers be provided which included access to phone, fax machine, and copier
• That access to high speed internet be provided
• That computers printers and dedicated phone lines be provided
• That signed dedicated parking be provided
• That secure storage areas in the office areas be provided
• That 24 hour access and alarm codes be provided

 A Memorandum of Understanding (attached) was crafted by the work group and signed on July 5, 2006.  The MOU outlined the deliverables that would be required for the outpost program to achieve success.  Funding for this project ($5000) was appropriated to BGS under this act. 

Implementation of the project at these two sites has gone smoothly with only a delay in the technology piece.  In Williston, the VSP OTS staff has encountered difficulty in providing adequate connectivity for the Mobile data network used by the Troopers of the Williston Barracks.  The solution to that problem has been identified and should be implemented by mid- January.  There has also been some delay in obtaining high speed internet access in Guilford.  In Guilford the level of connectivity provided at the Welcome Center was not adequate; after obtaining the required permits, a new line was installed.  Completion of the high speed internet interface and uplink of the VSP computer should also be completed by mid-January. 

VSP Coat of Arms on display at Williston Southbound Rest Area	Reserved parking sign  at Williston Southbound Rest Area

From the point of view of BGS, the project has been highly successful.  Staff at both sites has commented on the added level of security they experience with the presence of troopers at their sites.  The staff is genuinely delighted to have troopers co-located with them at the centers.  Comments we have received from the public are also positive.  Because the state police logo is affixed to the office window and on the parking lot signage, it conveys a sense of permanence that is also viewed positively by the public.  We do expect that having state police signage and presence will also serve as a deterrent to vandalism and other illegal activities that take place from time to time in rest areas.  From the point of view of VSP the project has been generally successful.

The Troopers often take advantage of the space either as a quick stop off point to accomplish phone calls and other tasks or as a place to work on reports.  The delay in getting network connectivity at the sites has limited what types of work the Troopers can accomplish.  Providing access to the VSP network will allow Troopers the ability to accomplish a number of tasks that currently require a trip back to a barracks.  As the connectivity issue is resolved the utility of the work space will increase dramatically.

The future of this and similar projects appears strong.  For a number of years, the VICD has been working closely with the Vermont State Police and the Department of Motor Vehicles to maximize the use of these facilities by law enforcement.  The VICD sites are located strategically across the state and offer the opportunity for law enforcement use as command posts, for interdiction activities, or as a place where troopers or DMV officers can process routine paper work.  The VICD routinely conducts outreach to VSP and DMV to remind them that these state assets are available for their use.  Keys and access codes have been provided to both law enforcement agencies.

Trooper Wagenbach is shown in the office space created for use by the Vermont State Police at the Guilford Welcome Center.	VT State Police cruiser parked in the space reserved for their use at the Guilford Welcome Center

In Williston, it is expected that the use of our visitor center by VSP may increase in the event the VSP station is moved further from the interstate -- from its present location on Route 2 in Williston.  Troopers may find the visitor center a more accessible outpost facility, convenient for interstate corridor enforcement or routine access to the interstate.

In summary, BGS is willing to participate in this and future outpost projects at any and all of our VICD sites if it is deemed to be in the interest of the state and convenient for the VSP.  For a long time we have felt this project had tremendous potential to be mutually beneficial to both organizations.  BGS is pleased to have had the opportunity to contribute to the success of the pilot.  VSP is also willing to participate in future outpost projects.  VSP would consider the operational needs of the area and the proximity of the proposed site to existing barracks facilities prior to committing to an outpost, but overall see the project as both cost effective and operationally effective.