Louisiana Parishes Now Share a Radio System
In Louisiana, police departments in the parishes of Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines can now talk to each other via a single radio system. The departments launched a joint 700 MHz. digital radio system on Jan. 22 funded by federal disaster money and grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The initiative is expected to encompass fire, medical, and government services in the future, according to law enforcement officials.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Warren Riley noted that because the new radio system facilitates interoperability, the system would accommodate out-of-state emergency personnel if they were to reprogram their own equipment.
The new radio system now allows a Jefferson deputy sheriff, for example, to communicate with a New Orleans’ patrol officer directly, while in the past, officers would have to go though the communications hubs of the respective departments.
DHS has allocated roughly $2.3 billion for a nationwide effort to replace obsolete or damaged radio systems, says George Foresman, the undersecretary of preparedness for DHS.
Law enforcement officials estimate that the four-parish upgrade cost approximately $30 million.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) from the New Orleans Times-Picayune (01/24/07) P. 1; Hunter, Michelle.