City’s police to get new radio system

The Elyria Police Department will receive a new radio system.

City Council approved March 20 the purchasing of a new radio system and other equipment for the police department for $750,000 over a five year span.

“There was two things we needed: a new radio system and new vehicles,” police Chief Duane Whitely said to Council. “We worked on our vehicles, now it’s time to update our radio system.”

About three years ago, the federal government changed the frequencies the police department was allowed to use, going from wideband to narrowband, Whitely said.

“Our whole system was set up for wideband,” he said. “It does not translate well to narrow band.”

The switch to narrowband has caused the police department to have dead spots in the city, the chief said.

The cost of the equipment is estimated to be under $700,000, according to Whitely.