Unexpected capital expenses can strain any budget. Still, thanks to the assistance of U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, the Merrillville Police Department secured nearly $1 million in federal Community Project Funding to upgrade vital police radio equipment.
Police Chief Kosta Nuses said the department’s former radios were well past their service life, and repair bills were becoming costly. He said the department began pricing new radios after learning the devices would become obsolete as Lake County Emergency Communications would eventually operate on a different frequency.
“This is when the panic kicked in,” Nuses said. “We quickly discovered how expensive the replacement radios would be for our 65-member police force. Each handheld radio would cost between $11,000 and $12,000, depending on our package. Purchasing new radios was not just burdensome but impossible for a department that operates on a minimal budget.”
Fortunately, Town Council President Rick Bella said Mrvan’s office informed the town of a grant opportunity through the Community Project Funding. After applying for the grant, Mrvan fought for the town to obtain federal dollars.
“We are truly honored and humbled to have been selected as one of 15 projects to receive this funding,” Bella said. “This grant of $963,000 will allow us to purchase state-of-the-art emergency communication equipment for our Merrillville Police Department, ensuring that our officers have the tools to protect and serve the community efficiently and safely.”
Mrvan said the community will be safer because of the new equipment.
“Congratulations to the Merrillville Police Department and all the leaders of the Town of Merrillville for your successful efforts to secure this federal funding to support law enforcement officers,” Mrvan said. “Our brave first responders go to work each day in service of our region, and we must ensure they have the technology and equipment they need to keep themselves and our communities safe.”
Merrillville Operations Commander Matthew Paunicka described the new equipment as smartphones wrapped in a radio. He said it provides many advantages over the previous equipment, including live GPS tracking. This function allows officers to see exactly where other officers are in real-time. The new radios also allow officers to send information and images directly through the radios.
“These capabilities will greatly enhance our strategic operations and improve our response times, ensuring we can serve our community more effectively.”
Town Manager Michael Griffin agrees that radios are essential tools for officers, and he thanked Mrvan for his efforts to improve safety in the Heart of the Region.
“It allows them to do their job in such a way that they can quickly notify us,” Griffin said. “Comforting a parent whose child was lost and then was discovered, to intercept a speeder which is just not recognizing the siren or the lights, and to even catch an offender who might be fleeing the jurisdiction. It makes them able to communicate with each other all the better so they can serve us all the better both safely and effectively.”
I cannot thank Representative Mrvan enough for his efforts to help us secure this federal grant. These high-tech radios will continue to keep our police force on the cutting edge of crime-fighting and assist us in keeping all residents and businesses safe in our town.
-Rick Bella, Town Council President