Council approves

department’s request for new computer equipment







Toledo City Council members gave unanimous, but somewhat reserved, support to authorize Michelle Amberg to sign two agreements that would bring the police department’s computer technology out of the “dark ages.”

During the council’s Oct. 7 regular session, Police Chief Mark Fandrey outlined the bits and bytes of using $276,312 in federal stimulus funding obtained through the Assistance to Rural Law Enforcement grant program. The 24-month, no-match competitive grant will help cover costs of hardware and software needed to participate in a multi-agency Computer Aided Dispatch/Records Management System (CAD/RMS), and the technical support to set up the communications system.

Fandrey asked the council to authorize Amberg to do three things: accept the grant, enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments for technology services not to exceed $100,000, and enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Willamette Valley 9-1-1 for CAD/RMS services, including licensing and operation, not to exceed $114,083.

Fandrey called it “a monumental project” and under normal circumstances, said he would dedicate at least three months to researching the overall fiscal impact. But the timeline to apply for the grant was just three weeks.

Beginning in fiscal year 2011-2012, the police budget will need an additional $25,000 to cover the costs of a PRIORS CAD/RMS service contract ($23,000 - $15,000 higher than originally expected), and two air cards through Verizon Wireless ($120 per month or $1,440 per year) to continue the program beyond the two-year grant period. That consideration proved somewhat sobering.

“I think it’s needed, but the budget concerns are always there,” said Mary Young.

Amberg said it was vital to press ahead despite the unanticipated extra cost, noting the timing is right, and Fandrey has forged positive connections and cooperation with the other agencies.

“It’s just part of the cost doing business,” she added. “It will happen more and more as we try to catch up. We need to just generally look at our budget. The city has fallen behind not only in reserves, but in technology. We could fall so far behind, we could be out of business.”

A prime example is the police department’s technology, which Fandrey said dates back to the 1980s, and is 20 to 30 years behind all other agencies in the county, including Lincoln City, which put this system in two years ago.

“The more agencies that get on board, the cheaper it is for each,” Fandrey said.

The new program would improve recordkeeping, bring Toledo’s system in line with everyone else, and in compliance with state laws. The system’s overall efficiencies and information sharing capabilities are an Oregon Department of Justice priority, Fandrey noted. Those concerns stem directly from the suituation on Sept. 11, 2001, when “several agencies had bits and pieces, but nobody had the complete picture.”

“This helps us put all the pieces together,” said Fandrey.

The information sharing alone is invaluable in locating suspects and stolen property, and the silent dispatch feature thwarts criminals who carry scanners and listen to them to determine where police are patrolling, and which areas are unprotected and vulnerable.

Many, if not most, of the officers have grown up with more advanced technology, and upgrading it could make them much more efficient in their duties.

“There is still discussion about 9-1-1 consolidation,” Fandrey added. “This system has to be in place before we can consider it.”

He said he would report to council periodically throughout the grant period so they could make “an educated decision” on whether or not to fund. the program beyond the grant period.



Terry Dillman is the assistant editor of the News-Times. Contact him at (541) 265-8571, ext 225, or terrydillman@newportnewstimes.com.



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