Finger Print scanning business

[mec]

I thought my experiences in trying to set up an appointment for fingerprinting with ISS might be interesting. This is the business linked to the DPS site. In this area-Waco, Texas, they apparently visit a room in the Marriot hotel twice weekly.

Our local sheriff's department has discontinued all fingerprinting services for the public and now refers to the above business. I attempted to register an appointment by internet. The site consists of several links and it requires exploring several dead end trails before finding the actual schedueling window. From there, you are toggle through several processes involving choosing a date and time and providing personal and identifying information. The stopping point for me came when I attempted to print out the admission ticket for my appointment. This turned out to be a pop-up window that was blocked by my firewall. I attempted to go back and enable the window but the site blocks attempts to do this. There are no e-mail contacts on the site nor any means of modifying appointment times.

I telephoned the business and walked through the automated telephone system. During this, I learned that they were Experiencing A High Volume of Calls. When an employee finally picked up the telephone, she determined that my appointment had not been schedueled. I do not believe this is true because the time/date I had selected is now listed as not available. In any case, the employee was not able to resolve the issue and I have found a local instructor to provide the prints.

[Greybeard]

First, good luck with getting acceptable prints from instructor. A primary reason that DPS did the deal was because so many of the manually-done fingerprints getting rejected by the FBI.

But, on the other hand, Identix has had that contract for about a year. And from what I've followed, in obtaining the contract, they seem to have promised some things service-wise for the residents of Texas that ain't necessarily being delivered. Possibly more on that later. Gotta run for now.

[mec]

Rejected prints is a major problem which is why I never learned the process and sent applicants to the Sheriff's Department. Some of the print cards from that source were rejected too. One woman took her reject prints to the DPS office on Lamarr. The officer who looked at the prints said they were fine, signed off on the card and explained that the staff sometimes rejected perfectly fine print cards to buy extra time

[Greybeard]

In looking at the web site, I see there has been a merger and they are now known as L-1 Identity Services or some such. And that many of the locations (including Waco) do not have ability to print out the cards on site. And that the Denton location is still "pending".

And that the link on the bottom of DPS's page for "more information about" still goes to a "page is not available" screen. What I did learn from that page when it was available a year + ago told me more and led to discovering more than what I have time or inclination to rant further over just now ...

[GrannyGlock]

And that many of the locations (including Waco) do not have ability to print out the cards on site. And that the Denton location is still "pending".

My experience last week in Lubbock was it was very easy to get the appointment. Asked for Print and Go option. Finally got good prints and asked for my copies to take. "We don't do that here. We can only send it electronically." No where was that stated anywhere. So there went my $10.

DPS is just about the only state department that still requires you to furnish a hard copy (or two) of prints. I finally got them at the Sheriff's office (another $10) with the officer doing them very interested in his wife taking a class with me. Local police would only do them from 1-4 Tues and Thursdays. Sheriff's office was very polite and friendly. (Also will retake them for free if they do not pass.)

Basically ask lots of questions and until further notice, make sure you have hard copies.

[mec]

Our local SO was very capable and friendly. Apparently, they are under the impression that the service is readily available through this outfit and have stopped. It might be beneficial if DPS would tend to their web site a bit more frequently and eliminate the free advertising for these people.

[Greybeard]

Quote: "My experience last week in Lubbock was it was very easy to get the appointment. Asked for Print and Go option. Finally got good prints and asked for my copies to take. "We don't do that here. We can only send it electronically." No where was that stated anywhere. So there went my $10."

FWIW, after several of my students experinced similar problems last year, I eventually contacted the DPS lady supervisor in charge of the fingerprints. She said that plans were in the works for the CHL prints to be submitted electronically - and even the photo (which would eliminate my need to have passport camera and take them in class). But, they obviously have not got it done - like many other things there, moving like m.......o......l......a......s......s......e......s.

And, in the meantime citizens (likely all over the state) are having to put up with this type of grief - when the intent, as stated in the proposal submitted to DPS by Identix, was to make the process convenient.

As stated earlier, I've tried to minimize the ranting here, but Granny, you might want to contact the higher-ups at DPS about this. And if they don't do something about it, there is another outfit there in Austin that has been known to move much faster. (As in The Attorney General's Office. Including, but not limited to, Deceptive Trade Practices Division.)

Chas, if ya seen this, please chime in. And/or PM me. At this point, there's somewhat more that I'm doing my best to avoid saying here.

[KaProw]

well crap, I just signed up for a class that doesn't provide prints. they pointed me @ that place. I feared there was going to be problems.

where else can I go (in Austin) ?

thanx,
rick

[Greybeard]

KaProw -

Ya might be OK in Austin. Surely that office is big enough to have a printer. See if there is an * about it now on their web site and/or hammer 'em about it when you call (800 number operator in Springfield, Illinois?) to set up appointment.

In all fairness, I'll say the gal in the North Dallas (Webb's Chapel at LBJ) office - once they got her a printer and she learned the routine for CHLs - has done a real good job with all students who've reported back to me. But, last I heard, there was no business telephone in the Dallas office!

[fiftycal]

When I was instructing in Austin, I'd always recommend that my students take their application/renewal packet directly to the DPS intake office. They would take the fingerprints on the electronic equipment and never get a "bad" set. The office is now across from Highland Mall. Plenty of parking.

They would also take the application packet and give you a time stamped receipt.

Best time to go was later in the day and not at the first/last of the month.

[KaProw]

Thanks fiftycal ... sounds like a good plan.

[GrannyGlock]

My "Print & Go" Prints showed up in the mail on Feg 23, originally taken on Feb 13. I guess that is not bad if you don't mind the wait. They look good, so I will store them in a safe place.

Of course my prints from the Sheriff's Office were delivered in Austin on the 15th. If necessary I will send the "electonic ones" but will wait and see if the ones they have will do.

[cxm]

Maybe I'm lucky... I have only had a few sets rejected and that was when they were rejecting every other card just after 911.

It mostly a matter of being careful...

FWIW

Chuck

First, good luck with getting acceptable prints from instructor. A primary reason that DPS did the deal was because so many of the manually-done fingerprints getting rejected by the FBI.

But, on the other hand, Identix has had that contract for about a year. And from what I've followed, in obtaining the contract, they seem to have promised some things service-wise for the residents of Texas that ain't necessarily being delivered. Possibly more on that later. Gotta run for now.