The whole concept of SAFE-T is a great idea, IMO. It makes total sense to have interoperability among each and every police, sheriff, fire, EMS agency in the state of Indiana. However, what is frustrating to me is that even though a SAFE-T tower is constructed in a county that does not indicate that the county agencies will come on-board to SAFE-T.
There is no doubt that funding is the major issue and with state and local budgets already tight, the prospect of the whole state coming on-board to SAFE-T looks bleek, at best. The funding will have to come from local or state funds or a combination of both.
Therefore, I challenge each and every Hoosier member of this board to email your local government and Indiana House and Senate representatives and urge them to fund SAFE-T. This is an issue of national security, IMO. I realize the state government is in poor financial condition; however, Governor Daniels is on the right track to reduce the waste and size of the state government. There is surely enough waste that can be cut from the state to fund SAFE-T, IMO. Also, I would much rather pay a small tax increase (though I hate tax increases) to fund a critical infrastructure component such as SAFE-T than to pay for a $900 million Colts stadium and convention center expansion (though I would hate to see the Colts leave Indianapolis). Which is more critical to the security of Indiana citizens in these post 9/11 days?
Please feel free to comment on my thoughts above. Thanks.
There is no doubt that funding is the major issue and with state and local budgets already tight, the prospect of the whole state coming on-board to SAFE-T looks bleek, at best. The funding will have to come from local or state funds or a combination of both.
Therefore, I challenge each and every Hoosier member of this board to email your local government and Indiana House and Senate representatives and urge them to fund SAFE-T. This is an issue of national security, IMO. I realize the state government is in poor financial condition; however, Governor Daniels is on the right track to reduce the waste and size of the state government. There is surely enough waste that can be cut from the state to fund SAFE-T, IMO. Also, I would much rather pay a small tax increase (though I hate tax increases) to fund a critical infrastructure component such as SAFE-T than to pay for a $900 million Colts stadium and convention center expansion (though I would hate to see the Colts leave Indianapolis). Which is more critical to the security of Indiana citizens in these post 9/11 days?
Please feel free to comment on my thoughts above. Thanks.
