Hennepin hangs up on cell phone tracker

Updated: March 3, 2010 - 7:47 PM

hide

Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek championed the high-technology tracking device, but commissioners tabled his bid for federal funding to acquire it.

Photo: Richard Sennott, Star Tribune

Cart Buy Photos

Camera Star Tribune photo galleries

Camera view larger

resize text
print
buy reprints

Tweet
share

email
Email share

your name

your email

recipients email

+ add a comment add a comment

The latest: The Hennepin County Board for a second time has tabled Sheriff Rich Stanek's request to seek $426,150 in federal money for a cell-phone tracking device called the KingFish. The device helps law enforcement agencies by pinpointing the location of cell phones that are on but not being used.

What it means: The 4-3 vote on Tuesday looks to end, for now, Stanek's hopes to purchase a KingFish with federal funding. The deadline is nearly up for submitting this year's wish list to the county's congressional delegation.

The back story: Three weeks ago the board forwarded Stanek's requests for nearly $3.5 million in federal funds for dispatch center equipment, but declined to include the KingFish. Commissioners expressed concern that the device might lead to illegal searches and questioned whether the Sheriff's Office really needed one.

What happened: Board members debated the pros and cons of the issue on Tuesday. Some said they needed more information before going ahead with the request. Commissioner Gail Dorfman said she preferred a pilot project to determine how well the device works. Commissioner Jeff Johnson said he was convinced it was an important and useful law enforcement tool that wouldn't violate privacy rights.

How they voted: Commissioners Peter McLaughlin, Mike Opat, Mark Stenglein and Dorfman voted to table the request. Commissioners Jan Callison, Randy Johnson and Jeff Johnson voted against the layover.

KEVIN DUCHSCHERE