PEA RIDGE — Thanks to the addition of new software and a computer dedicated to accessing the Arkansas Crime Information Center, Pea Ridge police have been able to enter their own warrants in house without having to drive to Bentonville. The in-house computer also provides immediate access to information about sex offenders.

“During court, we can check to see if any of our defendants have outstanding warrants from other jurisdictions,” Police Chief Tim Ledbetter said. “So far, it has proven itself very well.”

Prior to the addition of the software and computer, Pea Ridge officers drove to Bentonville to enter the departments’ warrants into the system at Benton County Central Communications.

“It’s a cost savings. We don’t have the expense - and time - of travel back and forth to Bentonville,” Ledbetter said, adding that the officers had to go as often as once a week.

This week, officers learned of outstanding warrants from other departments on several people who were in town attending court, enabling the officers to serve those warrants.

News, Pages 1 on 03/16/2011