[MIham] Share State Police Radio Towers

[Frank N8UVI]

Share State Police Radio Towers


By The Detroit News

The Issue

   Should local communities be allowed to use the exclusive state police
radio system towers?


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   The new Michigan State Police public safety radio communication system is
in trouble. It duplicates systems already in place, is behind schedule and
is millions of dollars over budget. The Legislature can rescue this
boondoggle by allowing local municipalities to piggyback on the state
system's towers.
   Five years ago, the State Police received a $180 million contract to
develop its own statewide radio system. The Michigan Public Safety
Communications System was intended to upgrade state police communication
capabilities and to allow as many as 16,000 local units of government to be
part of that process.
   The system features mobile radio coverage using 181 tower sites. The last
of four phases is being completed.
   The project, however, has been plagued with problems. It is three years
behind schedule, underused, $54 million dollars over budget and, by most
accounts, technologically obsolete.
   Key among its shortcomings is that the system was constructed under the
"Field of Dreams" theory -- "build it and they will come." Only about 3
percent of eligible law enforcement subscribers across Michigan have
partnered with the State Police. The state system is criticized as being
poorly constructed, expensive and lacking the range of mobile coverage
needed for police patrols.
   In addition, the State Police signed an exclusive contract with Motorola
as the service provider. The Motorola equipment, say critics, is not on par
with other systems on the market. So rather than attracting users, the State
Police system competes with them.
   Oakland County, for example, decided to go it alone. Oakland has a $30
million countywide police and fire radio system that is more advanced than
the state's. But when the county requested to hang some of its equipment on
a 500-foot tower in Addison Township used by the State Police, it was denied
access.
   Bob Daddow, who works for the Oakland County executive's office, says the
intent is obvious: By preventing local governmental units from hanging
antennas on its towers, the State Police compel them to use the state police
system. Without access to the towers, Oakland County will be forced to build
two 250-foot towers of its own at a cost of $2.2 million to the taxpayers.
   Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard says the police and fire agencies
ought to be working together to make the most efficient use of resources.
   "Given the assurance that we won't interfere with their radio, and given
the assurance that it won't cause any structural problems, it's a win for
public safety," he told The News. "A more efficient radio system is created
for the agencies using it, and it's a win for the taxpayers who have already
paid for the towers once."
   State Police officials did not return our phone calls.
   The Legislature should end the wasteful competition. Requiring the State
Police to share its towers would enhance coverage areas and provide better
communication for all concerned.


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