The ideal mobile office would contain a state-of-the art video system, perhaps adapting racing's in-car camera systems for police use. It would also be able to do wide-scan fingerprinting with the use of a hand-held device. Direct interface with various national criminal justice databases would also be important. One product that includes many of the capabilities of the ideal mobile office is the ALERT (Advanced Law Enforcement Response Technology) car, currently being tested in Alexandria, Va., and College Station, Tex. The ALERT technology provides a platform that integrates all of a patrol car's equipment, allowing communications with neighboring jurisdictions and the ability to plug in peripheral equipment. The officer controls the vehicle's functions with a touchpad computer screen. Law enforcement experts foresee continued change and technological advancement, but warn that a mobile office should not become so attractive that police officers spend most of their time there. Much of their duty time must still be spent interacting with citizens in the community. Further, police agencies must not spend so much money on technology that they have little left for training.