Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/122777
DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME Sarasota and Manatee county commissioners meet in the Think Tank at the County Administration Center in Sarasota on April 16. Photo by Norman Schimmel A MANATEE COUNTY EXPERT ON NEW EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY SAYS PROBLEMS CAN BE AVOIDED BY MAKING THE NECESSARY INVESTMENT AT THE OUTSET By Rachel Brown Hackney Editor Most of the problems U.S. metropolitan ar- concerns on April 10 prior to her board's 3-2 eas have encountered with a new type of vote to proceed with implementing a P25 sysemergency communications equipment have tem in Sarasota County. Robinson and Comresulted from insufficient investment in the missioner Nora Patterson were in the minority systems, Manatee County's public safety ra- on that vote. dio communications Referring to problems director explained in Robinson had uncova joint meeting April We need to build it the right way ered in a 15-minute 16 of the Sarasota and the first time. We cannot spend more Internet search, WilManatee county com- money by putting patches here, putting lie Miranda explained missions. patches there. of the systems, "They Sarasota County Comwere underfunded and Willie Miranda missioner Christine Director, Public Safety Radio Communications therefore underbuilt, Manatee County Robinson raised the and that's a very im-