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<br />Page 2 <br /> <br />F) Elk River is encouraging Sherburne County to evaluate their current mobile computer <br />communication link. The system used is a radio modem link with a Baud rate of 9600. Elk <br />River, for example, uses a CDMA cellular connection, which has a much cheaper modem, is <br />very easy to operate and has increased communication speed almost 60 times faster than radio <br />modems, conduit size and advanced encryption, and fire walling built in. The radio modems <br />offer very little in terms of future enhancements and, in fact, are outdated technology. Most <br />agencies have migrated to a faster more reliable form of communication. . Adapting a new <br />infrastructure would allow Elk River to receive calls for service via their squad computers. The <br />Baud rate of the current infrastructure prohibits Elk River from connecting to the county <br />system. <br />G) Elk River has a need for the dispatch staff to have the ability to get to the Internet, so they <br />utilize "SafetyNet," a web based program that sends out multiple messages to many users on a <br />variety of devices. For example, using this program, a dispatcher could send out an EOC <br />activation page to all EOC staff in Elk River. In my case, I would receive this activation page <br />via my Nextel phone in the form of a text message; on my pager as a text message; and to my <br />e-mail as a text message. TIlls redundancy is designed to insure that priority messages reach <br />the intended user utilizing multiple means of communication. In cases of major events, it will <br />help insure that all staff are notified. It also allows a two-way communication feature so the <br />sender(s) can receive confIrmation that the message was received and acknowledged. <br /> <br />All of these above items are of extreme importance to the law enforcement agencies within Sherburne <br />County. The comments made are not intended to reflect negatively on the Sheriff's Office, but instead <br />are meant to encourage a sense of inter-agency cooperation in regards to the functionality and operation <br />of the communication system that services all of our departments. <br /> <br />I believe that the majority of the decisions made to date regarding radio and communication technology <br />have been made primarily by the Sheriff's OffIce. This has been effective and appreciated, but I would <br />advocate that during these constant times of change, that all departments be represented in future <br />processes so that we can stay abreast of changes and implementation concerns. <br /> <br />I would be happy to discuss these issues with you or any of your staff, and I personally look forward to <br />working with your agency to better prepare our agencies for their future communication needs. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br /> <br />cc: Pat Klaers <br />Mayor and City Council <br />