Story Published:
Aug 9, 2011 at 8:57 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Aug 9, 2011 at 8:57 PM CDT
It's simply unacceptable that Putnam Sheriff's deputies are sometimes unable to communicate via their radios with the dispatchers or with each other via their portable radios or their cars. This is danagerous and potentially life threatening. This fact cannot be allowed to continue. As a matter of fact, it willl not be allowed by the Federal Government. After 2013 all law enforcement agencies will be required to be able to talk with one another. As it now stands, it is a mish-mash between law enforcement agencies. There will have to be one mutual frequency to which agencies can switch to so that they can talk to each other. Right now, Putnam County uses an analog format. Upgrades in communication technologies will utilize a digital format. This willl greatly enhance communications.
Putnam County is about 40 miles in length from Buffalo Valley to the Cumberland County line east of Monterey. It is comprised of rough terrain with many hills and hollows. Right now there are "dead spots" where deputies simply can't talk. As I said, that's dangerous. As more and more houses are built in areas heretofore uninhabited and with domestic calls the most dangerous call a deputy has to respond to, it's vital that their lifelines to dispatchers and to each other be clear and concise--there can be no "dead" spots. Also, many nights troopers on I-40 rely on Sheriff's deputies for vital backup as there may be only one trooper working the 6th District which goes from the Roane/Cumberland County line west to the Smith/Wilson County line. That's a long way. An officer's lifeline is the ability to talk with the dispatcher. That's it--pure and simple.
The whole issue is technologically complicated. But, Putnam County has an extremely capable chairman of its Technology Committee in Randy Porter. Randy also is the long-time Director of the Putnam County Emergency Medical Services and is the State Chairman of the 911 Board. He says that he can remedy the communications problem. I know him very well; and if he says he can, he will and we should support him.
Our deputies are counting on him. We can't let them down. Can you hear me now? 10-4!!!
