High Tech Jail On Wheels: Sheriff’s Office Using New Paddy Wagons

August 16, 2009

paddywagon.jpg

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has two new paddy wagons capable of transporting up to 14 suspects each to jail.

The two paddy wagons, also known as “Mobile Booking and Transportation” vehicles, have a laptop computer that can be used to remotely process a suspects jail booking paperwork. The vehicles can also be configured to segregate male prisoners from females, or adults from juveniles.

The sheriff’s department purchased two of the vehicles to be able to more efficiently transport prisoners, according to Lt. Gary Montee.

When the transport vehicle is used, the arresting deputy will not longer be required to drive a suspect to the jail — putting the deputy back on patrol quicker.

“They are going to keep patrol officers on the street more,” Montee said. “All the paperwork is finished in the unit with the laptop, and the transport time from the arrest to the jail is saved for the deputy.”

Montee could not say when the new paddy wagons might be used in North Escambia, but added that they would be especially valuable because they could save a North Escambia deputy a long round tip to the jail in Pensacola.

Pictured above:One of the new Escambia County Sheriff’s Office “Mobile Booking and Transport” paddy wagons outside of the Escambia County Jail. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

10 Responses to “High Tech Jail On Wheels: Sheriff’s Office Using New Paddy Wagons”

  1. David Morgan on August 19th, 2009 8:57 pm

    To “Rodney, Kathy, et al”;

    No, this is not an RV/Camper. It is pretty austere. No portable latrine, hot tub, cable tv, hot/cold running water, etc. The only modern conveniences are heat , a/c, and the on-board computer system for processing the subject.

    The unit is “segregated.” We can house and transport juveniles, women, etc., and keep them separate by the design of the interior “cages.” They cost approximately $68K per. The funding is from the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) monies. (Which we can only use for equipment, vehicles, etc.)

    Thanks for your continued interest in the management of your ECSO! I sincerely appreciate your observations and input.

    David Morgan, Sheriff
    Escambia County, FL
    436-9512

  2. rodney on August 17th, 2009 9:53 pm

    Tell us more about it, does it have food/water on it? Does it have them a TV to watch? Do they have actual cells to seperate them? Does it have a portable potty? Lastly like Kathy wants to know just how much have we paid for these??

  3. justanothersoul on August 17th, 2009 8:25 pm

    i think its cool we have a sheriff who aint scared to take the bull by the horns!! maybe sheriff morgan and sheriff arapo (spelling) from maricopa county ought to get together and swap ideas .. we need to get rid of club greybar and go to tent city, grow their own groceries! the only tv they have in maracopa county is disney channel and weather channel!!! if ya caint do the time dont do the crime!!!

    way to go sheriff morgan and your crew keep up the good work!!

  4. kathy on August 17th, 2009 6:51 am

    How much did each new vehicle cost?

  5. Justa Comment on August 16th, 2009 9:03 pm

    Once again, we see we have a Sheriff that is working for Escambia County, and not just special interest groups. I think this is a great way to keep our guys on the front lines and the criminals off. Thanks Sheriff Morgan for your hard work (esp. looking for ways to keep us safe) and devotion to the public safety.

  6. justsaying on August 16th, 2009 11:39 am

    I think this is a good idea. With the number of arrests made everyday and the amount of time is takes to process each suspect, this will definitley save time for the officers on the street. Also, most people who are arrested are under the influence of something so their additional wait to be able to bond out will be a plus as well.

  7. David Morgan on August 16th, 2009 9:18 am

    “To All,”

    Yes, transport time is saved (that was/is the primary reason for acquiring the Mobile Booking and Transport (MBAT) van) thereby keeping officers on patrol as opposed to traveling to Central Booking and Detention (CBD) and spending time in completing paperwork.

    It works like this, a deputy in Century makes an arrest and must now arrange for transport (or transport themselves) all the way back to Pensacola, taking an officer off the street.

    With the MBAT, the van goes to the scene all of the pre-booking paperwork (via in van laptop) is completed and the detainees are held (whether 1 or 14) until the end of the shift and one trip is made back to CBD, where the medical check is completed, the booking paperwook is reviewed and the intake is completed. By the way, the MBAT is operated by Correctional Officers (CO’s), no one searches a suspect better!

    We will have (initially) 2 of the MBAT vehciles (North and South end of county) and hopefully later a 3rd (for Pensacola Beach).

    With our deputy shortages (patrol and detention) we are looking for any and everyway to keep officers engaged in their primary duties, on the street responding to citizen calls.

    As always thank you for the continued interest in the operation of your Sheriffs Office.

    David Morgan, Sheriff
    Escambia County, FL
    436-9512

  8. William on August 16th, 2009 7:36 am

    escambiamom — that ’s pretty well it. ECAT for crooks.

  9. escambiamom on August 16th, 2009 3:59 am

    So will the depuites be calling someone to take the suspects to the jail and that person (officer?) will be driving around the county picking up suspects from more than one crime scene? A jail van pool of sorts? I like the part of keeping the deputies available more on the streets.

  10. rodney on August 16th, 2009 1:52 am

    Please explain how the transport time will be saved??? I understand that when they get to the jail there is paperwork to be filled out but I don’t understand how this is saving the transport time?? Does this mean that when they get to the jail they can go straight to a cell instead of sitting in a waiting area?