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The Allentown Police Department is being awarded a $53,000 U.S Department of Justice grant to support the purchase of technology to assist in crisis negotiations and portable speed control devices. The city was informed of its successful application by U.S. Senator Bob Casey and Congresswoman Susan Wild.<\/p>\n
The funds will be used to purchase a state-of-the-art Rescue Phone for use by trained professional crisis negotiators so they can communicate with individuals in crises from a distant location and in a controlled environment. Remaining funds will be used to enhance the department\u2019s speed monitoring technology and purchase two License Plate Reader systems to track activity by suspected criminals in hot spot crime areas.<\/p>\n
According to APD Chief Charles Roca, \u201cthe department has responded to more than forty crises\u2019 situations in the last year and a half concerning individuals who are either suicidal or barricaded. Our current communications device that allows us to deploy communications from a safe distance was purchased in 2007 and doesn\u2019t meet 2021 expectations for communication in those circumstances. The Rescue Phone can establish communications during these tense situations and will be used for training monthly.\u201d<\/p>\n
The speed monitoring equipment will enable the department to simultaneously deploy four speed signs throughout the city and keep them running 24 hours per day. Data is collected via a cloud-based system and used for reference. \u201cThis data can be analyzed by the traffic division supervisor and enforcement assigned accordingly,\u201d said Roca. Currently these units use batteries that must be re-charged daily.<\/p>\n
The Rescue Phone comes at an estimated cost of nearly $33,000.\u00a0 The two license plate readers cost $14,000.\u00a0 Speed sign batteries and solar panel kits cover the balance of the $53,000 grant.<\/p>\n
Information provided to TVL by: <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Allentown Police Department is being awarded a $53,000 U.S Department of Justice grant to support the purchase of technology to assist in crisis negotiations and portable speed control … Continue reading ALLENTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT AWARDED FEDERAL GRANT<\/span>
\nMike Moore
\nCommunications Manager
\nMayor’s Office
\n435 Hamilton Street
\nAllentown, PA 18101
\nMike.Moore@allentownpa.gov
\nhttp:\/\/www.AllentownPA.gov<\/a><\/p>\n
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