By: Donovan W. Mann – [email protected]
Humboldt, IA – Local law enforcement switches over to the new radio system after two years of updates and repairs.
The Humboldt Law Enforcement Center is officially operating with the new radio system. After over two years of going through the process of updating and fixing hardware and software to be compatible with the new system, the system is official in use. Sheriff Dean Kruger shares details with KHBT on the new system.
At this time it is only the law enforcement that switched over to the new system. Kruger says that every emergency first responded service will have to get on the system eventually. This will require the fire departments and medical service to get new pagers. He does confirmed that the fire departments across the county are working to get grants to help pay for the new equipment needed to upgrade. While not on the new system yet, the fire department and emergency medical service are still in sync with the dispatch center and can be easily deployed when needed.
While the process was delayed due to necessary repairs needed at the Law Enforcement Center, Sheriff Kruger says there is a lot that goes into the process. Along with new pagers and radios, the LEC also received an updated server and computers. The microwave tower also had to be updated to sync up with multiple towers across the state, including one in Fort Dodge and Des Moines. They also had to get the right permits and licenses. “Yeah, there’s quite a process to this” the sheriff says.
The systems biggest advantage is how far an officer or deputy can be from the LEC and still be in contact with the dispatcher. “This system will allow us to have better radio connection with our dispatchers” Kruger says. The range should be good for almost anywhere in the state of Iowa according to the sheriff.. For example he says if one of his officers is on a transport to Oakdale (which is just south of Cedar Rapids) they would still be in communication with the dispatchers. On the old system Kruger had previously told KHBT that it would only be a few miles outside of the city before communication become a problem.
See: Law enforcement to receive upgraded communication system
As previously reported by KHBT, a lightning strike in 2017 cause the LEC communication systems to become damaged. Since then the department has been working with the Humboldt County Supervisors to get the new system while a temporary fix was put on the old system. The new system was put into full use on Friday, June 5.