Chief urges upgrade
of communications
HOWELL — The police chief is requesting state-of-the-art communications equipment that is, in his view, "long overdue."
Police Chief Ronald Carter recently told Mayor Timothy Konopka and members of the Township Council that not only is the department’s 13-year-old system outdated, but that is becoming difficult to obtain replacement parts to keep it running.
Carter estimated the cost of upgrading the communications system to be $4.5 million. He said the money for the computer-aided dispatch system, which officers use in their cars to transmit information back to headquarters and vice-versa, is "needed for the safety of Howell’s citizens and its police officers."
Carter said a "trunking" system is also needed that would incorporate all of the communications systems in use by the township. The chief also said an upgrade is needed for the police department’s records system computer.
He explained that the police department no longer has software for the equipment since its original vendor is no longer doing business in the United States.
Carter reminded the mayor and council members that he initially requested the equipment in a five-year plan he submitted in 1995. He said at that time he was told that "budget constraints" stood in the way and they continue to stand in the way today.
Also addressing the council was officer Steve Gerrity, who is the dispatch supervisor.
Gerrity said at present, "we are limited in our functionality," noting that the proposed expenditure does not include video cameras for patrol cars or laptop computers which are now standard equipment in patrol cars in Lakewood, Brick Township, Eatontown and Wall Township.
According to Gerrity, Howell no longer has the capability to access records from the state Division of Motor Vehicles, information that used to be included in the department’s monthly reports.
Carter was instructed by council members at the July 10 meeting to put together an itemized list of must-have equipment along with an estimated cost and submit it for their review.