Hoyer Announces $658,000 for New Regional Law Enforcement Data and Communications Center in Hyattsville
"Police radio and data interoperability is crucial to enabling our local departments to effectively respond to daily public safety needs as well as large-scale disasters. It is absolutely essential that law enforcement have the resources to communicate and share information across jurisdictional boundaries," stated Rep. Hoyer. "This funding will considerably strengthen the area's ability to work together and coordinate public safety efforts."
Several years ago, the police departments of Hyattsville, Bladensburg, Greenbelt, Mount Rainier, and Riverdale Park joined together to plan and implement a project to integrate records management and communication among the five police forces. These new funds will increase public safety by helping to establish a combined communications center that utilizes computer-aided dispatch, mobile data access and processing, and inter-operable radios for all departments. The benefitting jurisdictions are home to over 60,000 residents and are served by nearly 200 law enforcement personnel.
"We greatly appreciate Congressman Hoyer's support of this initiative. The facility supported in part by these funds will improve public safety at a lower cost to the participating communities," said Hyattsville Mayor William Gardiner.
"Congressman Hoyer has always recognized the importance of public safety at the local level and how effective community safety is directly related to our country's homeland security," said Hyattsville City Police Chief Doug Holland. "The funding will be used to help our municipal police departments improve both our voice and data interoperability with our law enforcement partners in the National Capital Region."
This multi-jurisdictional project directly addresses the following national homeland security priorities and capabilities:
- Expand regional collaboration
- Strengthen information sharing and collaboration capabilities
- Strengthen interoperable communications capabilities
- Enhance law enforcement investigation and operations
- Implement interoperable communications systems
The ultimate goal is for this combined Regional Data and Communications Center to be compatible and interoperable with systems operated by Prince George's County and other jurisdictions within the National Capital Region.