WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Cops Squabble with Motorola Over Radios (Hartford-WTNH) _ A snag has developed in an 12 year project to install a new radio communication system for the state police. A contract dispute between the state and Motorola is the result of the state's demand that the new system covers 98 percent of the state. News Channel 8's Judy Chong reports. This morning Public Safety Commissioner Dr Henry Lee went before the state bond commission. He asked for and got an additional $23 million to pay for the cost of a new radio system. They delay is over what Motorola can do for that pricey sum. The police radios have been around for almost 18 years. State troopers have long complained that they are woefully inadequate and even life-threatening. The radios do not work in many of Connecticut's hilly and remote areas. Trooper Bob Veach, Connecticut State Police: "The troopers call for backup or call the troop, and they can't get through. It's certainly a hazardous, dangerous situation. The troopers need that radio. It's their lifeline to the barracks." A case in point is the September shootings in Willington. 3 troopers wounded - one of them critical. Trooper James Reidy did not have proper radio contact. Veach: "If Trooper Reidy had the information he would have done something different knowing there was an assailant with a high powered rifle. He wouldn't have been ambushed like that." Connecticut State Police and Motorola have already agreed on the price tag: $43 million. But the two sides remain stuck on the coverage the communications company can provide. Dr Lee is insistent on 98% trouble-free radio coverage. Motorola insists it can only guarantee 96%. Dr Henry Lee, Public Safety Commissioner: "Right this moment they're still talking. If necessary, I'm going to fly to Motorola headquarters to meet with them." IN the meantime, a system of band-aids is in place. Some state troopers are bringing in their own cellular phones into police cars. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Cops Squabble with Motorola Over Radios
(Hartford-WTNH) _ A snag has developed in an 12 year project to install a new radio communication system for the state police. A contract dispute between the state and Motorola is the result of the state's demand that the new system covers 98 percent of the state.
News Channel 8's Judy Chong reports.

This morning Public Safety Commissioner Dr Henry Lee went before the state bond commission. He asked for and got an additional $23 million to pay for the cost of a new radio system. They delay is over what Motorola can do for that pricey sum.

The police radios have been around for almost 18 years. State troopers have long complained that they are woefully inadequate and even life-threatening. The radios do not work in many of Connecticut's hilly and remote areas.

Trooper Bob Veach, Connecticut State Police: "The troopers call for backup or call the troop, and they can't get through. It's certainly a hazardous, dangerous situation. The troopers need that radio. It's their lifeline to the barracks."

A case in point is the September shootings in Willington. 3 troopers wounded - one of them critical. Trooper James Reidy did not have proper radio contact.

Veach: "If Trooper Reidy had the information he would have done something different knowing there was an assailant with a high powered rifle. He wouldn't have been ambushed like that."

Connecticut State Police and Motorola have already agreed on the price tag: $43 million. But the two sides remain stuck on the coverage the communications company can provide. Dr Lee is insistent on 98% trouble-free radio coverage. Motorola insists it can only guarantee 96%.

Dr Henry Lee, Public Safety Commissioner: "Right this moment they're still talking. If necessary, I'm going to fly to Motorola headquarters to meet with them."

IN the meantime, a system of band-aids is in place. Some state troopers are bringing in their own cellular phones into police cars.

Today's News Page.

WTNH Home Page.