Information being received by the crime commission indicates considerable crowding on 37.10 frequency used by sheriffs' departments. A survey is presently being conducted to determine whether a change should be made to another frequency. Naturally, we want to integrate all radio communications into the same system in order to improve police communication systems, wherever possible. In connection with your application for radio communications equipment, therefore, it is requested that the following items be considered and information furnished concerning them : 1. Present equipment. 2. Number of remote and mobile receivers. 3. Type of base operation, singly or jointly utilized. 4. Type and model of equipment presently utilized. 5. Age of each type of equipment. 6. Frequencies present equipment is using and frequencies planned to be used. 7. Is base station in operation 24 hours, and if not, indicate the hours base station is in operation. 8. Describe the amount, model, and frequency of radio equipment to be purchased, and indicate if the new equipment is intended for single or multifrequency operation. The possibility of working out a contract with a major supplier to buy this equipment at a lower cost is being explored. Our aim is to secure the best possible equipment for the lowest cost, naturally, to fully utilize funds that are available. Where you have submitted several different items of varied types of equipment in one proposal, it is suggested that you submit separate applications so they may be considered separately. Your prompt attention to this matter will be indeed appreciated. Sincerely, JOHN H. HICKEY, Director. STATE OF ARKANSAS, COMMISSION ON CRIME AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, All sheriffs, chiefs of police and city marshals. In view of the trouble experienced on 37.10 frequency and the proposed plan, now being considered, the crime commission decided that it would not fund replacement equipment except two-frequency base stations and four-frequency mobile units. We are exploring the possibility of a microwave system for the entire State and the installation of four-frequency mobile units will allow much more latitude and will not require changing in the event we go to a microwave system in the future. Certain equipment would naturally have to be added to terminal stations to operate on microwave. The crime commission does not require that bids be taken, (italic supplied) we only require that you determine the cost of the equipment that you desire and request the necessary funding. We are not concerned with the manufacturer from whom you purchase the equipment, but only that it be two-channel base station and four-channel mobile units. In connection with any requests for handie-talkies, it is suggested that the type unit that has the capability of using the earphone and the hand mike, which when used will mute the speaker, be considered because this type of equipment is much more adaptable to use on plants and stakeouts due to its quiet operation. Sincerely, JOHN H. HICKEY, Director. All Arkansas sheriffs. ARKANSAS SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION, GENTLEMEN: In view of the considerable crowding in some areas on the sheriffs' frequency, 37.10, a plan has been worked out for consideration of the sheriffs throughout Arkansas which was discussed at a meeting in Hot Springs on June 10, attended by 22 sheriffs, who unanimously approved same. This proposed system would mean establishing 12 new frequencies within the State for use of all sheriffs with a specific frequency assigned to each county in addition to a common frequency for use of all sheriffs on a station-to-station basis only. Details concerning the plan are attached. It is requested that you indicate below whether you desire to switch to a new frequency or desire to remain on 37.10 and return the bottom portion of this letter to me, immediately, so that we can determine the wishes of all sheriffs. Sincerely, Enclosure. ROBERT S. MOORE, Return to Sheriff Robert S. Moore, Arkansas City, Ark., immediately. I desire to go on a new frequency The frequency 37.10 megacycles is considerably overcrowded-our mobiles blank out base transmissions and our bases blank out mobile transmissions. Too, several years, ago, the FCC allowed municipal agencies to go on 37.10 megacycles. As a result, in some areas the 37.10-megacycle frequency is extremely congested; interfering with law enforcement activities. It is proposed that 10 new frequencies be obtained in the 37 band, such as 37.20, 37.25, 37.30, etc. for use throughout the State of Arkansas and assign these frequencies to the various counties so that no two counties, adjoining, would have the same frequency and there would not be interference on the day-to-day frequency (local traffic). Then, another frequency, 37.24 megacycles, will be used for riot control and roving (traveling from one county to another), and will be installed in automobiles and base stations to allow communications for (1) sheriffs when they leave their counties and (2) in cases of riot and disaster. There will be a third frequency, 37.20 megacycles, for strictly point-to-point or base-to-base communications. No mobiles will be allowed on this frequency. For counties, who have 37.10 megacycle bases and mobiles, all that will be necessary will be a frequency change directly from the radio-service man. This cost will be approximately $100 and will be the responsibility of the county or city. It will be necessary for existing mobiles to add a second transmit and receive frequency at a cost of approximately $150 per mobile directly from the technician, and this too is the responsibility of the county or city-not fundable. Then it will be necessary to add a new base with two-frequency transmit capability and two (2) one-frequency receivers. The crime commission will consider applications to fund these base stations on a 60/40 basis. There is attached, hereto, a diagram prepared by engineers and the frequency coordinator for your information. As you know, communications equipment are suitable for funding under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act on a 60/40 matching basis and applications for any major changes may be directed to the Arkansas Commission on Crime and Law Enforcement for consideration. DEAR SHERIFF: On July 16th I wrote you about Sheriffs' Radio Frequencies. To this time, not enough answers have been mailed to authorize the change, although the percentage received is better than two to one for changing. Several of us have been authorized to order new radio equipment but can't order until we know what frequencies to use. Will you now please send me an answer-one way or the other, because we need the equipment. You should also talk with your delegate to the Constitutional Convention about county government: committee proposal #117, paragraph 2(c) compensation of county offices. "May not be increased or diminished during the term elected". Delegate James A. Ross, Jr., of Drew County, offered an amendment to strike the words "increased or." It was defeated 34 to 37 but will come up two more times, and should be passed. Also, the effective date proposed for the new convention, if passed, should be January 1, 1971 at least as far as affecting the salary and 4-year term for county elected officials. Talk to them about this. Let me hear from you about this and the radio frequency at once. Yours truly, ROBERT S. MOORE, STATE OF ARKANSAS, COMMISSION ON CRIME AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, To: All sheriffs and police departments. The Commission on Crime and Law Enforcement is exploring various procedures to improve the criminal justice system in Arkansas. We hope to obtain Federal assistance in enlarging our facilities for computer operations in the Revenue Department in order to store information concerning traffic safety, crimes committed, arrests made, wanted individuals, court procedures, probation and correction information. We expect to increase the number of computer terminals throughout the State to provide for input into the system and for fast retrieval of information on wanted individuals and stolen property by any law enforcement officer in the State, as well as furnishing pertinent data to all criminal justice agencies. The President's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice in its "Task Force Report: The Police" has stated, "Area-wide communications systems should be developed in concert with area-wide records centers to the extent that the two systems are interdependent." We are also exploring the feasibility of microwave system to tie together all criminal justice agencies, the computer terminals and the computer center into one coordinated system. In order to attempt to obtain 100-percent funding by the Federal Government we need to know the value of all radio equipment presently in law enforcement cars and base stations and the number of officers in each department. If you will fill out the attached form and return it to this office we will have the manufacturers representative evaluate the equipment. If the equipment was bought partly with Civil Defense or other Federal funds, we need to know the percentage of State or local funds used to purchase the equipment. Your assistance in this matter will be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, To: All State agencies. JOHN D. POPE, Jr., Coordinator of Planning and Programing. STATE OF ARKANSAS, COMMISSION ON CRIME AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, The Commission on Crime and Law Enforcement is exploring various procedures to improve the criminal justice system in Arkansas. We hope to obtain Federal assistance in enlarging our facilities for computer operations in the Revenue Department in order to store information concerning traffic safety, crimes committed, arrests made, wanted individuals, court procedures, probation and correction information. We expect to increase the number of computer terminals throughout the State to provide for input into the system and for fast retrieval of information on wanted individuals and stolen property by any law enforcement officer in the State, as well as furnishing pertinent data to all criminal justice agencies. The President's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice in its "Task Force Report: The Police" has stated, "Area wide communications systems should be developed in concert with area wide records centers to the extent that the two systems are interdependent." We are also exploring the feasibility of microwave system to tie together all criminal justice agencies, the computer terminals and the computer center into one coordinated system. We realize that a microwave system is not probably feasible, if limited to criminal justice agencies alone; however, it is no doubt feasible, if it is also used for: 1. Closed-circuit television training from the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy to various points in the State where terminals will be located. 2. Closed-circuit television for educational purposes between the University of Arkansas, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Arkansas Medical School, Arkansas State University, and various other Arkansas colleges throughout the State. The system can also be used for telephone calls by State agencies throughout the State, as well as by county and city officials. It can also be used for securing telemetering information, traffic loads, and other types of information throughout the State. In connection with our study, we need to know what departments or agencies are interested as a possible user of the microwave system and the requirements of any agency so interested. Attached are several copies of a form to be filled in by interested agencies. We hope to make application for Federal funding under the: Highway Safety Act, Department of Transportation; Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, Department of Jus tice; various programs under the Health, Education and Welfare Department pertaining to education by closed-circuit television. If you have further questions concerning the survey or suggestions, please feel free to call John D. Pope, Jr., coordinator of planning and programing, Commission on Crime and Law Enforcement, room 1009, University Tower Building, 12th and University, Little Rock, Ark. 72204, telephone 371-1305. We would appreciate receiving an expression of interest or non-interest from each department or agency within the near future. Each department or agency that is interested is requested to furnish the identity of the individual in your department or agency who can represent them on a task force committee. d) Does room exist in this building for electronic equipment? |