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Franklin Twp. finalize decision on radar recorder
After approximately two months of research and discussion, Franklin Township Police Chief Jim Timko has settled on a radar recorder kit to purchase for his department. The radar unit is the size of an oversized toolbox and can be strapped to a telephone pole, tree, or post to create reports on traffic behavior like speed, car count, and other variables. This will help direct patrol units to speeding hot zones and the data will also be made available online as a public resource. Earlier this year Timko traveled to northeast Ohio where he spoke with the road department manager in Bryan, Ohio. They have been using a radar recorder developed by Jamar Technologies. According to Timko, the device by Jamar Technologies has excellent reporting capabilities, performance, and battery life. “I looked at an alternative company for a while, but there seemed to be a consistency in reports that the battery didn’t last very long,” Timko said. “The reporting was good, but what good is it if it’s not recording.” If the battery dies while a unit is still active, then all data is lost. Therefore, the township prefers the model the city of Bryan is using because of the cheap, long lasting battery life that enables the unit to run up to two weeks without close monitoring. In negotiations for the original price of the unit the cost was around $4,400. Timko discovered the township could shave off $600 by eliminating the included PDA device, which they do not need – making the new total around $3,795. “We won’t need the PDA to download the information if we use one of our existing computers,” Timko said. Once the device is purchased and delivered, the police department will collect data for most to all township streets – a process which will take time. Grant awarded for digital radios In approximately two months the police department will receive the digital portable radios they have been wanting for several months now. “We applied for a grant to purchase new portable radios to take us up to the new generation of radios,” Timko said. The township was awarded $25,000 through the Franklin County Office of Homeland Security and Justice Program. The funding will procure six digital radios in addition to shoulder mics, and belt holders. The current radios are 14 years old. While they have been refurbished and repaired, Timko said this is an opportunity to bring them to the digital age when Franklin County switches over in a few years.
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