October 27, 2020 - Shelby County Commissioners addressed the dire need of replacement radio dispatch equipment during an emergency session held Monday, October 26, 2020.
Representing the Sheriff's Department was Chief Deputy Kevin Windham and he was accompanied by Tracy Rook and Jody Brown with Texas Premier Communications, LLC (TPC) to explain the current situation with communications.
Judge Allison Harbison stated Sheriff Willis Blackwell contacted her on Friday, October 24 and informed her the communications console was not operational, and Judge Harbison confirmed with Chief Windham her understanding is there have been ongoing problems with the console before this time and the hope was to "piecemeal" it together and hopefully the radio system would work for a while at a cost of $20,000.
"He told me that a whole console would be around $60,000," said Judge Harbison.
With such a great need and expense, Judge Harbison called the emergency meeting to discuss with the radio technicians what is needed. To give further information, Chief Windham addressed the court.
"Our radio has had issues since December, three years ago," said Chief Windham. "Our dispatchers are unable to reach our officers. A lot of times we prefer to go through the radio to dispatch our calls. You know, that's an officer safety issue and so we prefer to use our radio to dispatch calls. And, a lot of cases that is not possible so therefore they have to be dispatched by the telephone."
Chief Windham explained what a safety issue for officers that creates when they are on a scene and status checks can't be accomplished by dispatch, because they're unreachable.
"This is a problem that's been going on for at least three years that I know of," said Chief Windham.
Rook and Brown with TPC presented the likely cost of installing a new console and a microwave link. Rook stated he installed the console that has been in use at the Sheriff's Department 15-17 years ago and it's usefulness is running out due to age. He could fix the current unit for a little over $26,000; however, there's no guarantee something else wouldn't break down since it's at "end of life."
The cost of replacing the console and adding a microwave link, which would allow for radio technicians to diagnose and even possibly fix a problem, is estimated around $70,000.
The commissioners were discussing possible ways to reduce the cost of the console, and a potential way to reduce cost is to reduce radio connections running through the console at a cost of $3,000 each. A consensus was then to potentially dispatch all fire departments from one channel and as a result the commissioners decided to meet with all fire chiefs at another emergency session Wednesday, October 28.
"To answer the courts question concerning dispatching for our volunteer fire departments, I mean I'm willing to commit to that, communications and paging our fire departments through the radio system. Of course I cannot speak for Sheriff Blackwell at this time," said Chief Windham.
Judge Harbison said her goal is for everyone to work together for a common good.
Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, confirmed costs with the radio technicians of potentially $70,000 and then he directed his questioning to the Sheriff's Department regarding budgeting.
"Deputy Windham, you made a comment early in your discussion that this radio system has been a problem for three years, it's 15-17 years old and has been a problem for three years. We are in the first month of the 2021 budget, and I never heard a word, or at least I don't recall a word about the radio system needing upgrade or to be replaced when we went through several budget meetings," said Bellmyer. "I don't mind telling you that I'm aggravated that we have an emergency meeting on a machine, granted it broke down Friday, but we never heard anything. We could have budgeted a new piece of equipment, and now we're in an emergency for a non-budgeted item."
Windham responded, "I understand your frustration, I truly do, but it has been an issue."
Bellmyer reiterated his frustration over the radio system having been a problem for years and not being brought to the attention of the commissioners during budget discussions to help prepare instead of having an emergency situation and having to come up with money from somewhere.
"I agree, but I don't make those decisions," stated Windham.
"That's it, you're not the Sheriff," said Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1.
Chief Windham agreed there needs to be good communications.
Jimmy Lout also stated, "I'd like to say one thing, he's not the Sheriff. He's elected Sheriff, but he don't take over till January 1."
A motion carried by the commissioners to table repairing or purchasing a new radio console for the Sheriff's Department until the next emergency meeting held Wednesday, October 28 at 10:15am.
The meeting adjourned at 12:13pm.
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