New Radio System for Police, Fire in 5 Pointes, Harper Woods

A new radio system that would allow emergency responders in the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods to have contact throughout the state's system is under consideration by all of the respective councils. 

The new radios would replace the current 800 MHz system, which city managers in each of the Grosse Pointes have described as outdated. The 12-year-old system is without a warranty at this point and there is a good possibility it may become obsolete soon, meaning repairs and hardware would be hard to come by in the event its needed. 

City Manager Shane Reeside told council members Monday the opportunity presented itself within the last 10 days or so. Officials from Wayne County alerted the Pointes and Harper Woods, all of which operate under a mutual aid agreement, that a grant through the Department of Homeland Security would help foot the bill, Reeside said. 

The grant would cover $485,000 of the $1,050,000 total cost. The balance is to be shared by all of the communities and most importantly would allow emergency workers the ability to be in direct communication with other departments throughout the state, including Detroit, Reeside said.

In the event of a disaster, Reeside said it would be beneficial to all emergency workers by allowing coordination and open communication.

According to a breakdown given to the council Monday the cities will owe the following amounts if the measure is passed by all of the councils:

City officials from the Shores, Farms and Park have essentially said the grant being offered is not likely to come available again and that taking advantage of it while it's available would be advantageous all around. 

In addition to saving the cities money in the long run, the system will bring emergency workers up to date and allow for easier communication among neighboring departments. 

The Farms council unanimously approved their portion of the system, requesting Reeside to push for the development of a new formula to determine the city's contribution. The current formula and that used to determine the figures above is based on the State Equalized Values of properties, of which the Farms is the highest value but one of the smallest communities among the six departments, hence the highest contribution.

The proposal was also passed unanimously by the City of Grosse Pointe council Monday and is up for a vote by the Grosse Pointe Shores council Tuesday. The topic was mentioned to the Park council during a recent budget meeting but has not yet been formally considered. It was also mentioned by Grosse Pointe Woods City Manager Al Fincham during Monday's council meeting but has not yet been placed on the agenda for their approval.