RSS Feed
 |
|
|||||
Nassau Police plan to use water tower for new Public Safety Radio System The Nassau County Police Department hosted a meeting December 20, outlining for residents its plan to use of the Massapequa Water District's tower at May Place, Massapequa Park, as a site for its new Public Safety Radio System. The Massapequa Park site is one of several the county is looking at to implement the new system, which they said is essential for police services. The new system will be replacing the 25-yearold system that is currently in place, and will enhance radio coverage in all areas, said police officials. This is especially helpful for those areas that, under the present system, have poor radio communications, such as is experienced by the Westfield Sunrise Mall area. "It's going to ensure robust coverage," said Deputy Inspector Edmund J. Horace, who spoke to the small group that gathered for the informational meeting. Nassau County Police Department was able to secure new frequencies for the system, and in June of 2005, it signed a contract with Motorola. Under the new system, the Police Department is guaranteed by Motorola to have 97 percent on the street coverage and 95 percent in buildings coverage from a portable radio. In addition, there will also be radio coverage 3 miles outside of the area. The system will also provide interoperability, which means that public safety agencies, like the fire departments, will be able to use the system for better communication as well. May Place has been used for many years by the Police Department for their radio system and the implementation of the new system would only require some equipment changes such as a 12-foot by 24-foot shelter, which will replace the 8-foot by 8-foot shelter at the location. In addition, three microwave dishes, five transmitter antennas, two receiving antennas and a 70KW generator would be required. The natural gas generator would run once a week, for an hour, and would produce minimal noise, said officials. None of the equipment would interfere with the radios or televisions in the area, they added. Only a handful of people attended the meeting and there was no major opposition raised. The one resident who spoke said only, "if the police need it to do their job, I am for it." He declined to give his name. The site location at May Place was the most efficient and feasible of the locations scouted for the site. All of the other locations would require the unsightly and expensive building of large towers, they said. "Nobody wants new towers, especially of that size," said Sgt.Thomas M. Golder. The Massapequa Water District has not taken a position on the proposal except to say that they expect the county to follow all state laws and conduct a full environmental review before moving forward. Nassau County Police Department and outside specialists at the meeting assured the public that the new system will not produce any environmental or health hazards for the community. The plans are considered to be very safe and the level of exposure to radio waves was cited as 2 and a half times below the exposure level that is allowed by the government, said Golder. The new radio system will be up and running in a year to a year and a half.
"It's something that's been needed for a long time," said Deputy Inspector Horace.
|
for larger version       Ads have a Patent Pending. Click Here for More Information |
||||
