COSTA MESA : Council to Discuss Fixing Aid Network
The City Council will discuss plans for a new emergency communications system for law enforcement at its meeting today.
Construction of the $84-million system had been placed on hold after the county declared bankruptcy in December. But the cities and the county in March agreed to form a joint-powers authority to oversee financing of the radio network.
The existing system was built to accommodate a countywide population of 1.5 million people, so it must be upgraded to meet the greater demand, City Manager Allan L. Roeder said.
Orange County’s population has been estimated at more than 2.5 million.
“The police have said that it is easier to communicate with police in places like Redondo Beach than with each other,” he said.
Roeder said the project, which involves the county and all Orange County cities, is the largest joint effort in local history.
Once completed, the system will link all law enforcement, fire and public works authorities in the county.
The cities and county will split the $84-million price tag. Costa Mesa expects to pay $2.2 million for its share of the work.
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