Town of Niagara police receives grant for mobile command unit

by Ralph Schwarz
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, Dec. 22, 2004

A federal grant will now enable the Town of Niagara Police Department to bridge the communications gap in the event of an emergency.

U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY 28th District), presented a $75,000 check to Town of Niagara Police Chief James Suitor last Thursday to establish a mobile command unit to allow for independent communication with other law enforcement agencies and first responders.

“Chief Suitor and I have been working on this for a while, so we are pleased to finally get this mobile command unit,” said Slaughter, who secured the funding from the U.S. Department of Justice under the FY 2005 Omnibus Appropriations Bill that was signed into law earlier this month by President George Bush. “Because of the wide policing responsibility for the Town of Niagara, it’s very important that it gets that kind of help. You have lots of territory that needs to be checked on as part of Homeland Security,” Slaughter said.

Located within the proximity of the Greater Niagara Falls tourist attractions, the Canadian border, the New York Power Authority’s Niagara Power Project, former Manhattan Project locations and current chemical plants, the Town of Niagara carries an increased burden in times of emergency.

“It may be a small town, it is in a very important spot -- one that warrants federal attention,” said Slaughter, a senior member of the Select Committee on Homeland Security.

Interoperable Communication

Suitor appreciates Slaughter’s efforts to help the town.

“I remember several years ago when we were addressing first responder issues at a conference in Kenmore, that the congresswoman was very serious to Homeland Security in this area and realized that we do have a buffer for potential targets in Western New York,” he said. “And I don’t think that there wasn’t one first responder that did not address the need for interoperable communication equipment. Obviously in 2003, when the East Coast suffered a major power blowout, we were definitely in need of interoperable communication equipment, not only to talk among other local law enforcement agencies but also to emergency responders.”

The police department will use the $75,000 to purchase a diesel-powered sport utility vehicle and interoperable communications equipment to be used as a multi-purpose mobile command unit. Since the Town of Niagara uses analog communications equipment, while federal and state law enforcement agencies have recently been switching to digital communications networks, it must have access to interoperable communications equipment in the event of an emergency. The new command unit will ensure that the town can communicate with other law enforcement agencies, fire departments, emergency medical services, public works and utility companies during such emergencies.

Everyday Needs

“In addition to Homeland Security emergencies, we plan on using the unit also for everyday needs that may arise, such as snow storms and power blackouts,” Suitor said, adding the mobile command post will be ready for use next spring.

Like Suitor, Niagara Town Supervisor Steven Richards thanked Slaughter for her continued support.

“I’m very appreciative of the efforts of Congresswoman Slaughter to ensure that the town received a grant like this, that we can use to purchase new communication equipment that would help us in the time of need,” Richards said. “I also extend my sincerest thanks to Congresswoman Slaughter. She had made such a difference in this entire district with her help.”