News 12 This Morning / Wednesday, May 16, 2012
COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. -- Portable radios go everywhere a deputy goes, keeping Columbia County deputies connected to one another.
"Until our conversation is completed, that channel is busy -- no one else can use it," said Columbia County Sheriff Clay Whittle.
Whittle has been working behind the scenes to prepare for a new radio system he says will make communication easier and the community safer.
"I'm thrilled to death about it. I've been working a little over 10 years now to get to this point," he said.
The radio system uses a VHF frequency now, which ties up channels. The new Motorola communication system will use an 800 megahertz trunk radio system for all portable radios. It will let officers to travel farther, while still staying in contact.
"What it allows us to do is take multiple channels, put them together," Whittle said. "There is a little traffic cop so to speak built into the system."
That system also allows officers to communicate with firefighters and EMTs on the scene of a big emergency response, which they can't do now. It's also equipped with a GPS locator.
"It combines everybody in the county that want to be a part of the system, into one system," Whittle added. "When they come onto the scene of an emergency, there will be additional talk groups because you can add more groups."
Whittle says his officers will be able to use the technology as soon as this October. The sheriff said people will see faster service from officers, and the Sheriff's Office will save money in the long run because they expect to be more efficient in the way they deliver service.
The project is partially funded through grants the county has received, along with the 1 cent sales tax residents already pay.
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