Police communications upgrade considered
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SYRACUSE - Can the town of Syracuse afford a $250,000 bond issue?
Tuesday, Syracuse Town Marshal Tom Perzanowski told the town council that Project Hoosier Safety is finally going to get off the ground. The first phase should be completed in 2003 for northern Indiana. The project is the upgrade of law enforcement radio frequencies to 800 megahertz so all police agencies in the state can communicate with one another.
For Syracuse to upgrade its dispatch center to the new frequency, Perzanowski said, the cost will be $250,000 to get started. Most departments who are going to be a part of the project plan to pay for it through a bond issue. Syracuse did not budget the money for the project for 2003.
He said if the town doesn't get into the project this year, it may be a while before they can get on board. Tuesday, he said, he was just presenting the idea to the council.
"It's out there for you to think about," he said.
Councilwoman Carol Koble asked what the town's handicap would be by not upgrading. Perzanowski replied the police frequency currently used is often full of users. The newer, updated frequency will make radio communications quieter. With 800 megahertz, the Syracuse Police Department will be able to communicate with any agency statewide. He also said the frequency will be eventually mandated. And while the state may pay for the infrastructure, the state will not pay for the equipment and other such costs.
Perzanowski said he needs to know by the end of the year if the town plans to participate in the program so he can tell the state.
Town attorney Mike Reed told Perzanowski he'll need to find out what revenue stream will pay off the bond.
Koble said Perzanowski is asking for a decision too quickly. She said they need more notice.
Bill Hane, councilman, said the town is so small, their police don't' need to be talking with other cities like Evansville. It's something more appropriate for the Indiana State Police, not Syracuse.
Perzanowski said eventually the current radio systems will be obsolete.
For budgeting purposes, said Koble, "a month doesn't quite cut it."
Reed told Perzanowski he wasn't sure what kind of commitment the state was asking the SPD to make because it wasn't in the information provided. He said Perzanowski needs to find out.
Barbara Carwile, town council president, said Perzanowski needs to find out more definite information on how quickly Syracuse has to get on board for the project.
Koble said she doesn't think Syracuse needs to be one of the first to get on board for the project.
Members of the Syracuse Town Council are Koble, Carwile, Hane, Mike Davis and Paul Stoelting. They meet at 7 p.m. in the town hall on the third Tuesday of every month. Their next regular meeting is at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 with the end-of-year meeting Dec. 30 at 5 p.m. [[In-content Ad]]
SYRACUSE - Can the town of Syracuse afford a $250,000 bond issue?
Tuesday, Syracuse Town Marshal Tom Perzanowski told the town council that Project Hoosier Safety is finally going to get off the ground. The first phase should be completed in 2003 for northern Indiana. The project is the upgrade of law enforcement radio frequencies to 800 megahertz so all police agencies in the state can communicate with one another.
For Syracuse to upgrade its dispatch center to the new frequency, Perzanowski said, the cost will be $250,000 to get started. Most departments who are going to be a part of the project plan to pay for it through a bond issue. Syracuse did not budget the money for the project for 2003.
He said if the town doesn't get into the project this year, it may be a while before they can get on board. Tuesday, he said, he was just presenting the idea to the council.
"It's out there for you to think about," he said.
Councilwoman Carol Koble asked what the town's handicap would be by not upgrading. Perzanowski replied the police frequency currently used is often full of users. The newer, updated frequency will make radio communications quieter. With 800 megahertz, the Syracuse Police Department will be able to communicate with any agency statewide. He also said the frequency will be eventually mandated. And while the state may pay for the infrastructure, the state will not pay for the equipment and other such costs.
Perzanowski said he needs to know by the end of the year if the town plans to participate in the program so he can tell the state.
Town attorney Mike Reed told Perzanowski he'll need to find out what revenue stream will pay off the bond.
Koble said Perzanowski is asking for a decision too quickly. She said they need more notice.
Bill Hane, councilman, said the town is so small, their police don't' need to be talking with other cities like Evansville. It's something more appropriate for the Indiana State Police, not Syracuse.
Perzanowski said eventually the current radio systems will be obsolete.
For budgeting purposes, said Koble, "a month doesn't quite cut it."
Reed told Perzanowski he wasn't sure what kind of commitment the state was asking the SPD to make because it wasn't in the information provided. He said Perzanowski needs to find out.
Barbara Carwile, town council president, said Perzanowski needs to find out more definite information on how quickly Syracuse has to get on board for the project.
Koble said she doesn't think Syracuse needs to be one of the first to get on board for the project.
Members of the Syracuse Town Council are Koble, Carwile, Hane, Mike Davis and Paul Stoelting. They meet at 7 p.m. in the town hall on the third Tuesday of every month. Their next regular meeting is at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 with the end-of-year meeting Dec. 30 at 5 p.m. [[In-content Ad]]