I doubt this new Harris system for the Thruway will allow other agencies besides those who work and parol the mainline Thruway and the spur routes. It seems that just like the MTA/MRRS system, this system will be designed for specific coverage immediately around the thruway and nothing else. It is not true, "Statewide," as the article portrays.
Just an FYI, what I mean by a true statewide system is a P25 System that can mostly blanket the whole state with coverage and allow multiple users on the system, not just the state entities. Systems like NJICS in NJ (as you mentioned), CLMRN in CT, and Starcom in IL are perfect examples of this, and many more.
I will add to my statement above. This system seems that it will be designed for specific immediate coverage around the thruway and generally won't be receivable away from the thruway. Kind of like how their UHF system is designed now. I would expect this system to have a handful of TGs assigned to the NYSTA and a few TGs assigned for NYSP Troop T. Hell; they may even share the same TG as they do "Channel" now on the UHF System. Yes, it will be
statewide, but "statewide" in the sense that it will
only follow the thruway statewide, as
@k2hz points out in a previous post.
I'm not sure why "Pennsylvania did it, why can't NY?" is being held up as an example, since it looks like four out of 67 (if I counted right) counties are using it. What would be the advantages to the individual counties and cities of having a single state-run system instead of them being able to implement what's best for their needs? If the argument is, "Well there should be a statewide system for the state police", why? What advantage would that provide in Monroe County?
I would not get to hug up on me mentioning PA. It was a generalized statement that they have a "statewide" system. Maybe not a lot of other agencies except the state ones are on it, but they do have a theoretical "statewide" system.
In most counties in Central NY and the Finger Lakes region all law dispatch has been centralized at county level 911 centers for many years.
You call 911 and you get a response from the nearest or most appropriate law enforcement officer. No more deciding if you should call NYSP, the town PD or the Sheriff. With all LEOs on the same dispatch system immediate backup from the closest unit is available. What would be the point of NYSP having their own dispatch system? The expansion of regional systems such as CNYICC also makes a potential State system redundant.
The only NYSP VHF channel activity in this area is mainly administrative or internal units such as the BCI or the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit.
Troop T is a special case since the limited access Thruway is generally isolated from the surrounding communities. The Troopers in Troop T are providing a contracted dedicated enforcement service for the NYSTA.
Great info. In addition,
most counties in the Hudson Valley have a centralized county dispatch center, and they are one of the county's only (if not the only) PSAP. They handle most of the 911 calls that come in, primarily via cellphone, and often have a "Poling" channel where they will poll for the closest available police unit; that could be NYSP, County Sheriff, or local Town Police unit. Then, the call may or may not get transferred to the responding agency for further communication. In a select few counties, the state police will also handle the 911 calls and transfer them to the necessary agency, just like the county dispatch.
Also,
some counties in the Hudson Valley operate completely differently and according to county-specific needs. But if anything, the coordination between the State, County, and Local police seems superb here.
NYSP patrols all major roadways throughout the specific counties, except the thruway or any spur routes, which, as you said, are handled by NYSP Troop T in their agreement with NYSTA. And yes, even here, there is a bit of an isolation aspect, except if a crash with injuries or entrapment requires an FD or EMS response.
