The Armadillo: Utica's Police Department Public (2011 LGAA)

City of Utica (Winner)
County: Oneida County
Population: 50,000 +
City Hall: (315) 725-3771

The Utica Police Department, in conjunction with UNHS NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center, unveiled its new crime-fighting tool, the Armadillo, on Thursday, August 26, 2010. The Armadillo -- a donated Brinks vehicle -- is equipped and designed to serve as a virtually indestructible vehicle that, by its presence, discourages and prevents illegal activity as well as nuisance activities that impact the quality of life in neighborhoods.

The idea for the "Armadillo" came from John Catera, chairman of the Utica Landlord Association who researched a similar program in Peoria, IL and presented the idea at one of their meetings. The City and the Police Department enthusiastically endorsed the idea and found funding for the project. Working on the Armadillo Project has been extremely rewarding and exciting for the Utica Police Department due to the participation and generosity of many businesses and individuals.

The Armadillo is outfitted with a camera surveillance system and when deployed in front of a problem property, an onboard Mobile Digital Video Recorder (MDVR) captures any crimes or foul play that happens. The "Armadillo" can be parked in front of drug houses or other properties where "quality of life" issues plague neighborhoods and discourage the offending activity. If the problem happens to be a drug house, the "Armadillo" will deter would be buyers and make it uncomfortable for the drug dealers to do business in the neighborhood.

This system will aid Narcotics Investigators in identifying who is entering and exiting houses where drug trafficking is suspected. The Armadillo's goal isn't necessarily making arrests, but alerting suspects that police are on to them. The image of the Armadillo is what makes it unique. When the public sees the Vehicle in front of a house, they know something is going on and that the police are doing something about it. In addition, Utica police have seen tremendous success. Most "bad guys" either shape up or move out of the neighborhood. As a result, there has been a reduction in crime and the restoration of peace in neighborhoods. Finally, because the vehicle is obvious and discourages law breakers without having a police officer on site 24/7, it has helped reduce overtime and frees up police officers that have normally spent much of their time trying to address issues related to a nuisance property.