South Simcoe police sent a clear message this week to the police services board that they need to address issues related to radio communications.
Police Chief Andrew Fletcher presented the department's proposed 2020 capital budget to the Bradford West Gwillimbury-Innisfil Police Services Board on Monday night, which includes $200,000 for upgrades to communications. He also made a pitch for some outside-the-budget funding in 2019 to help fix the problem.
Fletcher told board members there's an immediate problem.
"We’ve had a couple of issues with our radio system this year," he said.
Recently, an officer who was struggling with a prisoner in the cell block of the North Division station in Innisfil was unable to use his radio to call for back-up. The construction of the building and the cement walls blocked the radio signal.
“That causes us quite substantial concern,” Fletcher said.
As a temporary fix, the police department is requesting approval of an immediate $55,000 expenditure to move an antenna and install new low-frequency radio devices at the station, which is located at Yonge Street and Innisfil Beach Road.
The cost will in part be offset by a $40,000 allocation in the 2019 capital budget that was not spent this year, the chief said.
“Is it going to work?” asked Innisfil Mayor Lynn Dollin.
“I certainly hope so,” said Fletcher, who added the alternative would be to "double up" officers whenever in the cell block.
“We’re getting very close to a health and safety issue,” added Deputy Chief Robin McElary-Downer.
McElary-Downer also noted the equipment to be installed inside the police station will be reusable and represents an “early investment” in a planned communications upgrade.
Fletcher told the board that the police department continues to negotiate more cost-effective ways of improving radio communications, including looking for space on existing and new cell towers.
Last year, South Simcoe police ran into similar issues at Friday Harbour in Innisfil, where the existing tower at 25 Sideroad and Line 13 was not tall enough to provide the needed coverage, the chief said.
In the end, police partnered on a new tower at the new fire station.
“Those costs were shared between Friday Harbour, the fire service and ourselves,” Fletcher said.
The police services board approved the $55,000 expenditure and Fletcher thanked members for their support.
“It’s important to our members,” he said.
