Police Roll Out Mobile Command Center

To deter crime in the city’s industrial area, a donated 34-foot recreational vehicle is being renovated as the Police Department’s mobile command center, officials said.

The white and navy RV, dedicated at a ceremony Thursday at City Hall, will serve as a police substation in the city’s east side when it is not in use for emergency situations or other activities.

Lt. Bob Mosley said there has been a crime increase in the industrial area, including a murder two years ago, a computer company burglary and truck hijackings.

“By putting the mobile command center there, we’re going to have a tremendous deterrent to violent crimes,” Mosley said, along with much greater police visibility.

The RV also will be used across the city at drunk-driving checkpoints and at events such as the Fourth of July celebration.

The new command center’s home base will be a parcel of property donated by Kingston Technology Corp. on Newhope Street, south of Slater Avenue.

The 1987 RV is being remodeled with new carpeting, vinyl wall coverings, window blinds, exterior paint and lettering, all donated by local businesses.

It will eventually be equipped with a laptop computer, also donated, and software that can be used at crime scenes to make composite drawings of suspects.