Patrol Cars Will Get High-Tech Equipment
City police patrol cars will soon have new computer-aided dispatch software and hardware, to be purchased with state funds designated for law enforcement.
Under the Citizens Option for Public Safety program, known as COPS, $100 million is being distributed to cities statewide, according to population. Placentia’s share will be $104,713, acting Police Chief Daryll Thomann said.
Under a four-year plan already begun, the department has 16 mobile data computers, 15 of which are in patrol cars. Thomann said the grant money will pay for software so that officers at the mobile terminals can communicate with dispatchers.
Eventually, he said, the system will be able to send calls for police service to patrol vehicles without dispatching calls over a radio frequency.
The system will also allow officers to check the history of residences and businesses.
“It’s going to speed up the response of police officers,” Thomann said.
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