Police Pay for Digital Fingerprint Machine with Forfeiture Money

The 's recent acquisition of a new digital fingerpint machine is a testament to the benefit of strong police work during a weak economy.

Without funding to replace the department's obsolete nine-year-old fingerprint reader, the department applied to the county prosecutor's office for the release of forfeiture funds to purchase a new high-end digital fingerprint machine. 

The prosecutor's office approved the release of the accumulated forfeiture funds a few months ago, which the department then used to purchase the $20,000 device.

"It's easier to use and it works better than the old machine," said police chief Erik Rose, who explained that a replacement was necessary because the old machine's servicer would no longer provide basic support and maintenance.

Rose said it all goes back to his officers working hard to make arrests and build up the borough's pot of forfeiture funds -- which are stashed with the county prosecutor's office following arrests of criminals who are in possession of assets, like money or cars.

A portion of the forfeited criminal proceeds remains with the prosecutor's office and the rest is maintained in an account for each municipality, Rose explained.

When a situation arises where the police department needs something and the town hasn't budgeted to pay for it, the department can request use of the accumulated funds from the prosecutor's office.

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