NATCHEZ, Miss. – City aldermen and the mayor closed the public out of their discussions Tuesday about getting an investigative technology company to assist the Natchez Police Department.
Mayor Dan Gibson said letting the public know details “would compromise our city’s ability to properly enforce our laws and to absolutely make an impact on some of the crime we are experiencing.”
State law does allow government boards to kick the public out of meetings that discuss “investigative proceedings” or the “transaction of business” for “security personnel, plans or devices.”
Prior to the Board of Aldermen closing its meeting Tuesday, Gibson said
“There is an investigative technology company offering a very good program for us.” However, the company’s name and what it’s offering was not divulged during the public session of the board meeting.
“I believe this is a matter that involves public safety and a discussion of which involving crime techniques could hamper our ability to see through this successfully,” Gibson said.
The board authorized the mayor to enter into an agreement with the company.
This comes as Natchez-Adams County officials have sounded the alarm about recent gun violence in the community. The city and county in November began a crime-fighting initiative dubbed “Operation Safe Neighborhoods.” It has Natchez police officers and Adams County sheriff’s deputies engaged in “saturation” patrols throughout the city and county to curb and investigate crimes and to make arrests.
The county and city boards have allocated funds to pay officers for the overtime work entailed in this joint operation.
From ChatGPT:
Investigative technology companies provide a wide range of services designed to assist in the collection, analysis, and presentation of data in various types of investigations. Some of the key services they offer include:
1. Digital Forensics: Recovery, analysis, and preservation of digital evidence from computers, smartphones, servers, and other electronic devices. This could involve investigating data breaches, cybercrimes, or even personal disputes.
2. Data Recovery: Restoration of lost, corrupted, or deleted data from digital devices, storage media, or networks. This is often used in both criminal and civil investigations.
3. Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence: Identifying, preventing, and responding to cybersecurity threats, including hacking, data breaches, and phishing attacks. These companies may also monitor networks for suspicious activities.
4. Surveillance Technology: Use of advanced tools for tracking individuals or monitoring activities, such as GPS tracking, audio and video surveillance, and remote monitoring.
5. Social Media Investigation: Analyzing social media platforms and online activity for evidence of criminal activity, fraud, or other relevant data. This can involve scraping and analyzing large volumes of public social media data.
6. Fraud Detection and Prevention: Identifying fraudulent activities, such as identity theft, financial fraud, and insurance fraud. This could involve analyzing transaction data, reviewing records, and investigating suspicious behaviors.
7. Data Analytics: Using specialized software and algorithms to analyze large datasets, identify patterns, and generate insights that can help solve criminal cases or resolve legal disputes.
8. Intelligence Gathering: Conducting research and analysis to gather intelligence related to individuals, companies, or organizations, often used in corporate investigations, litigation, or security matters.
9. Public Records Search and Background Checks: Searching for publicly available records like court cases, criminal history, financial records, and other personal or professional data.
10. Expert Testimony and Consulting: Providing expert advice, reports, or testimony for legal proceedings. Investigative tech experts may be called upon to explain the results of digital investigations or forensic analyses.
The cost of services from investigative technology companies can vary significantly based on the type of service, the complexity of the case, the amount of data involved, and the company’s reputation. Here’s a rough breakdown of typical costs:
1. Digital Forensics:
o Hourly Rate: $100 – $500 per hour, depending on the complexity of the case and the level of expertise required.
o Flat Fees: For specific tasks, such as data recovery or device examination, some companies might charge flat rates ranging from $1,000 to $10,000+.
2. Data Recovery:
o Basic Recovery: $200 – $1,500 for recovering files from a damaged or corrupted hard drive.
o Advanced Recovery: $1,500 – $5,000 or more for more complicated data recovery (e.g., from severely damaged devices or forensics-level analysis).
3. Cybersecurity Services:
o Hourly Rate: $150 – $300 per hour for monitoring, threat analysis, and response services.
o Flat Fees for Projects: Some cybersecurity firms might offer a comprehensive assessment or protection plan for $5,000 – $20,000+, depending on the size of the network and the level of service.
4. Surveillance Technology:
o GPS Tracking: $20 – $100 per month for rental of GPS trackers.
o Surveillance Equipment: High-end surveillance technology (e.g., cameras, drones) can range from $500 to $5,000+ depending on the sophistication of the equipment.
o Hourly Surveillance: $50 – $300 per hour for human surveillance or monitoring services.
5. Social Media Investigation:
o Hourly Rate: $100 – $300 per hour for manual investigation or analysis of social media accounts.
o Flat Fees: Social media scraping or analysis could range from $500 to $5,000+, depending on the volume of data and depth of analysis needed.
6. Fraud Detection:
o Consulting or Case Review: Typically $100 – $300 per hour, depending on the complexity of the fraud case.
o Flat Fees: A fraud investigation package could cost between $2,000 and $10,000+.
7. Intelligence Gathering:
o Hourly Rate: $100 – $300 per hour for research and intelligence collection.
o Flat Rates for Reports: Some companies may charge $1,000 – $5,000+ for detailed investigative reports on individuals or entities.
8. Background Checks:
o Basic Background Check: $50 – $150 for a simple background check.
o Comprehensive Reports: $200 – $2,000+ for extensive background checks that include criminal records, financial history, and other detailed information.
9. Expert Testimony and Consulting:
o Hourly Rate: $150 – $500 per hour for expert testimony or consultation in legal cases.
o Flat Fees for Reports: Some experts charge between $1,000 – $10,000+ for a detailed report or opinion on a case.
Note: Prices can vary widely depending on the region, the specific investigative firm, and the scope of the project. Additionally, high-profile or urgent cases may lead to higher rates, especially if they require specialized expertise or involve large-scale data analysis. Many firms also offer initial consultations or case assessments at no charge or for a lower rate, so it’s always a good idea to inquire about pricing upfront before committing to services.