Department of Homeland Security funding recently became available through Wayne County in May 2011 to assist in the purchase of a new and upgraded radio system. A new system consists of all new hardware and software with new dispatch consoles. The new server will be housed at the City of Grosse Pointe Farms. The new proposed system is compatible with the State of Michigan Astor 25 system. The Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods will have direct access to radio communications with other jurisdictions, including the City of Detroit and Macomb County. Currently, the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods Departments are on a separate, stand alone radio frequency. This grant was awarded to resolve interoperability issues outside of the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods. The cost of the new radio system and upgrades, as provided by the vendor, is $1,050,000. Of that amount, $485,000 will be reimbursed by Wayne County through the Homeland Security Grant leaving a balance of $565,000 to be paid by the communities. The cost breakdown of the new system is as follows: Grosse Pointe Farms $ 137,751.78 Grosse Pointe City $ 63,440.39 Grosse Pointe Park $ 117,409.03 Grosse Pointe Shores $ 54,631.94 Grosse Pointe Woods $ 131,540.55 Harper Woods $ 59,283.31 Wayne County (DHS Grant) $ 485,943.00 Total $1,050,000.00 Installation/activation is expected in March 2012.
This program is now fully implemented and was activated in September 2012. The only barrier encountered was the delay in receiving the required equipment.