Auroraadvocate.com - Police hoping for dispatch upgrade

by Holly Schoenstein

Reporter

Aurora -- The police department has proposed entering into an agreement with Kent State University police to upgrade its dispatching and records management software systems.

Instead of buying new software, the partnership would allow the police department to get the benefits of a more sophisticated higher-end system for about half the cost, according to Police Chief Seth Riewaldt.

Riewaldt said the department has considered upgrading software twice before, but found the cost of some systems -- up to $400,000 -- undesirable.

The cost of the proposed software switch would be an initial investment of $168,000, which would pay for the purchase and installation of the software and a new server.

It would also pay to train employees to use the system and for transfer of data from the old system, among other things. The city would pay a $49,000 annual maintenance fee.

The final prices for the conversion are yet to be determined.

Riewaldt gave a presentation to the finance committee Nov. 16 about the possibility of switching software companies, and the committee is expected to present legislation toward that end at City Council's Dec. 14 meeting.

The police use the dispatch and records management software to collect, organize, analyze, transfer and store information.

The city has used software from TAC Computer Inc. of Bedford for 10 years, and pays $17,000 annually to maintain the system and to pay for the air cards laptop use to access it from the road.

"I'VE WANTED [new software] for years, but I've had a hard time asking for tax money because what we have suffices," Riewaldt said.

"The current software is better than what we used to have. I haven't been able to do this because I've been so frugal. I pride myself in running a very lean organization and looking out for the public's money."

Earlier this year, the First Energy Co. awarded the city a grant worth about $200,000. During his presentation to the finance panel, Riewaldt suggested using a portion of that to pay for the software upgrade.

But according to Finance Director Robert Paul, the police levy fund would contribute $160,000 and the city's wireless 911 fund would pay $40,000 toward the software purchases.

According to Riewaldt, the new software would make police operations more efficient by making communication with other departments easier. Kent and Brimfield police departments already utilize the service through KSU's department.

He said Aurora shares information about crimes with other departments via telephone, e-mail, Internet and in person.

Riewaldt described the police department's current software as "adequate."

"Over the years, I've realized there's a lot more advanced software available to police departments," he said.

But the department wants software that is more stable and has consistent functionality, which would make it easier to train employees and reduce the frustration dispatchers experience.

E-mail:

hschoenstein@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3152