South Brunswick's 911 System in Need of Help

South Brunswick's 911 system is in need of emergency help.  The South Brunswick Police Department is asking the Township Council to approve the purchase of a new 911 system before its current one is no longer serviceable.  The cost of the new 911 equipment, consoles and installation is expected to cost about $1.4 million.

"We wouldn't come asking for this unless we really needed it," said Chief Raymond Hayducka.  "I pride myself on running this department efficiently and effectively.  That won't be possible if we don't have this upgrade, because it creates a danger if our current system goes down.  It's a lot of money, but it's in the best interest for the residents of this town."

The current 911 system, manufactured by Plant Equipment, is about 20-years-old.  For the past two years the equipment has been kept operational through the use of refurbished or serviceable parts by Verizon, Chief Hayducka said.  He added that the current police dispatch consoles have been in place for over 10 years, which are beyond the life expectancy for the equipment.  

"Verizon notified the township last year that technical support and replacement parts are no longer available for this equipment," Chief Hayducka said.  "Verizon has informed the township that after September 2011 they will no longer support or repair the present Plant Equipment."

Chief Hayducka said this could create a huge problem, because should any part of the console fail, it couldn't be repaired and that console would be lost.  He added that would reduce the number of available resources within dispatch.

"This could present a serious threat to the protection of life and property in South Brunswick," Chief Hayducka said.  

The department applied for a $260,000 grant from the federal government, but were told there would be a two-year delay before the grant may be awarded.  

The new system would also allow South Brunswick to enter into a shared services agreement with surrounding communities, including North Brunswick and Jamesburg, for 911 dispatch.  The benefits of a shared services agreement would allow the township to recoup some of the cost from the investment into the new 911 system.

"Research into the resources needed to integrate other towns' communications with ours resulted in the finding that the present equipment cannot support this," Chief Hayducka said.  "Without this replacement, the township cannot expand our dispatch capabilities for ourselves or others."

Council members said the state has encouraged municipalities to seek shared services with surrounding communities and this would be a step towards that directive.

"Shared services with other towns is the catchphrase of the moment," said Councilman Charles Carley.  "That's the direction the federal government is going in and the state is going in.  The township has also been moving in that direction and we would like to see it happen."

Carley added that the new system would allow for dispatch consolidation, which would help South Brunswick recoup some of the losses for the cost of the new equipment and open the door to other possible grants.  But beyond the shared services opportunity, the upgrade would still be necessary either way, according to township administration. 

"This would allow us the opportunity to share our services by working with neighboring communities," said Township Manager Matthew Watkins.  "But even if we don't, we still need to do (the equipment upgrade)."

Police are also seeking equipment upgrades in patrol cars.  Chief Hayducka asked the council to consider the purchase of an E-Ticket system.  The system involves a small console in police cars that allows officers to swipe a drivers license though the console.  The system then automatically prints a motor vehicle ticket and uploads the information into the computer system.

Chief Hayducka said the system would save the township an estimated 848 working hours per year for officers and court personnel in data entry.

"I wouldn't ask for this if I didn't think it was beneficial," he said.  "This would improve errors when we go to prosecution, it would reduce calls to the court and would enable our officers to return to service quicker."

Chief Hayducka said the system would be a huge timesaver to help bear the burden of less department resources.  The clerical workforce in the department has been reduced by seven people in the last five years due to attrition.  

The cost to outfit the department's 32 police cruisers with the E-Ticket system is about $50,000, including ticket containment costs.  The system would charge the department 49-cents per ticket up to 12,742 tickets, at which point the cost drops to 30-cents per ticket.  South Brunswick Police issued 9,738 tickets last year.

 With the current system, hand-written tickets cost 30-cents per ticket through the court.  Chief Hayducka said the system would save the township on the cost of purchasing hard tickets and he believes E-Ticket would pay for itself in the long run through the reduction of data entry.

Council members said they have heard complaints about the difficulty some residents had in getting court personnel on the phone, so the E-Ticket system could prove beneficial in that it would free them up to answer more calls.

The township is moving forward on a bond ordinance for the equipment upgrades, in order to have the paperwork in place before council members vote on the ordinance.  

"From a budgetary point of view, this will have no impact on 2011 if we do a bond," Watkins said.  

The council is expected to vote on the ordinance at the Jan. 25 meeting.