Corpus Christi Area TRS Update
Corpus Christi PD is still experiencing problems with the new MTD system by Sprint. Most of the problems are operator error and unfamiliarity with the new system. The current plan is to dispatch most all calls and responses by the MTDs. This will include EMS and FD dispatches. However, voice dispatches will continue until such time as the MTD system is mastered. The MTD system has a back up simplex radio 800 MHz channel and there is always the old way of dispatching by radio if that fails. Efforts to utilize the city owned WiFi system proved to be too inconsistent in area coverage and will not be used. The WiFi system is being utilized for temporary surveillance cameras by Special Services Narc and Organized Crime/ Intell, ie streaming audio/video.
The Nueces Co SO currently doesn't have MTDs and due to pending security certification required on the state and federal level for NCIC/TCIC info accessibility. A marked decrease in voice traffic is anticipated shortly, however priority 1 calls will be voice dispatched for the foreseeable future. The Sprint system also provides GPS capabilities, showing PD unit location, location of the call and a recommended route to the scene for both dispatch and the responding unit. The system also provides the FD/EMS dispatch with a recommendation for which EMS unit to dispatch based on station location. There have been a few problems with the maps but they are minor. I don't recall the name of the map system used by Sprint but it's not Google and is very detailed
There are no current plans to have patrol and dispatch go exclusive Provoice. There are currently six consoles being operated by the city. Four for the PD and County and two for the FD. The Refinery Terminal Fire Company (RTFC) has physically moved it's dispatchers to the city/county comm center. They have a 24 on 48 off schedule for RTFC dispatchers.
DHS grants to the Port Police have been shared with the CCPD and have resulted in several tech. advancements - which were beyond my level of technical comprehension.
The CCPD/NCSO new (5th) tower site in Hazel Bazemore Park is nearly completed. It will be on a new tower owned by DPS at that site. The new site will have seven new initial frequencies with an eight added later. This will provide coverage for the western part of the county and those low lying areas near the Nueces River. Currently these areas have very limited coverage for the SO units. This should be operational within two to three months, however searching the FCC data base I haven't been able to find this new license.
NCSO is planning on realignment of their patrol districts and talk groups. However the new SO administration has much more pressing problems and comms is currently at the bottom of their list.
CCPD, as we all know, has made several TG changes and realignments, more are to be forthcoming. Bravo District has been expanded westward to Everhart Rd and Adam District has been expanded eastward resulting in the downsizing of Charlie District. Charlie now consist of seven patrol beats rather than nine. The beat maps haven't been updated on the city site yet but from what I saw are generally the same. TG 0273(?)- Patrol -1 now covers the SO patrol units county wide, constables offices and the CCPD Adam units.
Rebanning will have a minimal impact for the CCPD/NCSO. It will be more extensive for San Patricio County ( Sinton, Ingleside, Aransas Pass & Mathis) and Kleberg County. CCPD continues to administer the San Patricio system and Kingsville/ Kleberg Co is trying to get CCPD to do the same with their system. The Kingsville TRS will require some modifications before CCPD can take over the system. This undoubtedly requires funding by Kingsville and is the primary delay in this endeavour. CCPD is supposed to preemptively address their rebanning issues within this next year. The distance from the border that had originally been 150 miles regarding rebanning has been reduced to 70 miles and does not include CCPD, Kleberg or San Patricio Counties now. San Patricio nor Kleberg are not making any current efforts to address rebanding.
Port Aransas is undecided whether they will have a stand alone TRS system or connect with the CCPD/ San Patricio net. It is currently moot as I was told that the FCC is is freezing 800 TRS applications due to rebanding and they most likely will continue to operate on their VHF frequencies for an extended period. This may be subject to DHS requirements as they are a port facility. At any rate, when they do go to a TRS it is their intention to follow San Patricio and Kleberg Cos and be exclusively ProVoice.
Aransas County/ Rockport and Live Oak County/ George West are discussing the possibility of going TRS and having CCPD administer a future system. CCPD currently has a TRS(#4) site in George West for use during evacuations and a link to the San Antonio EDACS system. I was told with equipment improvements and adequate funding CCPD could/would administer 50 systems given the opportunity.
In conclusion, I think there will continue to be enough monitorable radio traffic to remain interesting.
