Kent County

[lakeboatnut]

In the past on the Kent County data page was a statement something to the effect of this "All police agencies in Kent County will be on the MPSCS by the end of 2011" As far as I can tell this is no longer posted. Is this statement still true, or have plans changed?

 

[jack3726]

If you search through the posts here in the forum I believe that MPSCS was full and until that changes not much could be added. As far as date goes if the MPSCS was not full, no idea, I am not sure that KC wants to use MPSCS, others have an ideas??

 

[rdale]

MPSCS became un-full after they "found" more RIDs. I think if you go through the older postings here you'll see discussion about the future of Kent Co.

 

[greedo23]

From the talk I've heard there are no plans for Kent Co. Sherriff or GRPD to go digital anytime soon. The city can't even afford to put on fireworks on the 4th of July- no way they could afford a digital transition for the police.

 

[Skud]

Remember the 911 tax for cell phones? Wasn't that suppose to help with the transition to one dispatch center and go get the new radio system?

 

[rki616]

The money for equipment comes from a different source.. The amount of radios they would need to buy VS Cost benefit plus overall costs for Kent County to be on the system wouldn't be worth it to move to the state system.

I see Kent County moving some direction.. Not sure how soon though at this point. I mean heck we still have FD's with Min 2's and people running plectrons. So its going to be awhile before any major changes happen.

The biggest changes have occurred.. Kent only has 2 dispatch centers now. All 911 calls flow into either GRPD or KCSD.

To give everyone an idea of things:

GRPD Dispatch
- Covers City of GR
- Covers City of Wyoming

KCSD Dispatch
- Covers all of the townships
- Cities of Rockford, Kentwood, Lowell, Cedar Springs
- Anything that isn't covered by GR dispatch .

MSP Dispatch "60"
- Covers MSP stuff - obviously the MSP cars also monitor the County and city channels and respond when / where they are needed.

Some things to note on freq's:
- Area Fire 154.370 - Now fireground for Wyoming. Not sure who else.. But Wyoming forsure
- Grandville Fire - 151.25 Linked to County Fire North
- Walker Fire - Remains the same but also linked to County fire north 151.16
- Kentwood Fire - Now on County Fire South 154.070 Kwood FD F2 is still the same 153.950
- Wyoming Fire 155.19 - Not linked to anyone. Just Wyoming Fire - Dispatched by GR Dispatch

Hope this gives everyone a better idea of the changes.. This might need its own thread but then again maybe not .

 

[bergg]

rki616,

Thanks for the dispatch and freqs update.

 

[jack3726]

Is Kent City dispatched by the county, I think they are.

 

[jack3726]

And Sparta??

 

[rki616]

To Clarify.

The City of Grand Rapids Dispatch center only dispatches City of Wyoming and City of Grand Rapids.

Everything else is dispatched by the County.

 

[lakeboatnut]

Thanks rki616 that is some great information. One additional question that you may be able to help me with. Although there would be an expense purchasing new radios if the county and/or city were to join the state system. How would this compare to the cost of purchassing new radios for the pending narrow band change. Would it not be necessary to purchase new equiptment either way. Would also mean an end for Minitor II and plectron.. Again thanks for the update.

 

[rki616]

Well they have been purchasing narrow band capable radios for awhile now as they replace the old BK's. Some of the BK's are Narrow Band but a lot are being replaced with Vertex radios.

You have to remember..

Analog Price - Most likely 600.00 per radio *(This is a high #, I can't remember which model it is). This radio doesn't need any new system. As it would use the current freqs and current system for many years.

MSPSC System Radio - Cheapest Motorola 1500.00 Per radio plus the cost of Airtime each year on the system. 200.00 per radio per year. plus of course the upgrades that would need to happen in / around Kent county to accommodate the amount of traffic that all of these agencies would generate. Plus resolve coverage issues on the system through out the county as well. My state portable Bongs in a lot of places around the county.

With Narrow Banding it will mean an end to the plectrons and Min 2's.. Hopefully these departments will get upgrades soon! But of course thats not a County thing. Thats up to each individual department to buy that kind of equipment for their people.

 

[bergg]

This message from 2005 made it look like MPSCS would be the way they were headed. Kimball was the
city Mgr for GR at the time.


http://www.cityofgrandville.com/Refe...005/050425.htm

City Council Minutes
from 2005

The Kent County Dispatch Authority Agreement was discussed in February, 2005 and was before the City Council to decide if Grandville will participate in the Kent County Dispatch Authority Agreement. City Manager Krombeen gave a brief overview of the Central Dispatch Authority Agreement. During the Interim Period, an Interim Administrative Policy Board will be established and will consist of one representative from the cities of Grandville, Walker, Wyoming, Kent County, and the Kent County Sheriff’s Department. The Board will hire an Interim Project Manager to work to resolve outstanding issues in preparation for placing a referendum before the voters in August 2006 to fund County Central Dispatch services. Mr. Krombeen summarized the economic impacts to the City of Grandville if the Agreement is authorized or not authorized. City Council voiced concerns with opting out causing Grandville citizens to fund local dispatch as well as paying millage for Central Dispatch, staffing of the local dispatch center, response times, and replacement of equipment. Council Member Sierawski referred to the Final Report from L. Robert Kimball & Associates, consultants authorized to this study by Kent County Board of Commissioners. Kimball recommends the best option for Kent County is to join the MPSCS which would not require obtaining any additional frequencies and licenses. By joining the MPSCS, the issue of interoperability is simplified for the County and would shift a lot of the risks to the State. L. Robert Kimball recommends the County join the MPSCS as opposed to creating a stand alone system. Mr. Sierawski voiced concern that the County will not pursue the MPSCS option. Grandville Dispatcher Marc Larabel spoke in support of a local dispatch. Motion by Council Member Maas, and seconded by Council Member Ponstein, CARRIED unanimously by roll call vote, to authorize Grandville joining the Kent County Central Dispatch Authority.
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