Herkimer County Sheriff Chris Farber delivered three portable digital radios to Town of Webb Police Chief John Russell on Friday, March 15.
The radios, valued at over $1,200 each, are capable of receiving over 120 channels and can be run digitally or in analog mode. They were acquired through a federal Homeland Security grant secured by the Herkimer County Sheriff’s Department.
According to Chief Russell, Homeland Security is awarding grants to sheriffs’ departments throughtout the country in an effort to upgrade and digitalize their radio systems.
The radios, which are worn on officers’ belts and operated with lapel microphones, will be operated in analog mode for now, as our local towers currently do not receive digital signals.
“However, Herkimer County Communications Department, through 911, got us a base station which has digital capability. That was installed a couple of months ago,” Chief Russell said.
Homeland Security provided funds for the base station to allow for compliance with new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations requiring narrow band compatibility.
Russell said Sheriff Farber has taken good care of the Webb Police Department. Among the equipment Farber has secured for Webb by way of grants is wireless computer access for the police patrol cars, which should be operating this April.
“We all work together—that’s the name of the game. We determine which departments need which equipment and training,” said Sheriff Farber.
Farber said he and his clerk write grant proposals which are submitted to Pubic Safety and the Herkimer County Legislature. If approved there, they are submitted to Homeland Security.
It typically takes seven to eight months to receive a contract back from Homeland Security, according to Farber.
