COM 0717.041 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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FY 2006-07 OPERATING BUDGET & PROGRAM RFNIEW PAGE 5 12. Traffic Enforcement Unit program highlights reflect 30 traffic fatalities during FY05, (Part I, Volume II, page 206), of which 53% were related to alcohol and 47% were related to illegal drugs. Do you foresee illegal drugs surpassing alcohol? It will eventually probably be equal to or slightly higher than alcohol. Some of the reasons may be the influx and availability of synthetic drugs (i.e., ecstasy, crystal methamphetamine, crack cocaine) over the recent years. Another factor for drug use and driving may be that persons using drugs may believe that the probability of being caught for driving under the influence of drugs would be less than that of alcohol due to the smell and other factors associated with alcohol use. Consequently persons may over indulge in drug use thinking that the police will not suspect anything, not realizing that their perception and reflexes would be impaired. 13. Capital Projects FY07 -What is the status of the Police 700 Megahertz Communication System ($4,000,000/Total project $21,000,000)? The status of the Police 700 Megahertz (MHZ) Communications System is that to date there has been no funding for this project. Our department has had preliminary talks with the State of Hawaii about forming a partnership for a system but without funding, we cannot proceed forward. The release of funds would trigger the need to have a consultant perform a study similar to the study performed in 1995 for the 800 MHZ system. Furthermore, the County should consider the hiring of a fulltime radio frequency engineer or an equivalent position to oversee this project. The continuous evolving technological changes in the communications architecture portents the need for a professional in the field to manage the project both to and beyond its completion. The 700 MHZ system should be designed to ensure access for the Fire Department and Civil Defense Agency in addition to the Police Department. Furthermore, this shared system will also ensure greater interoperability on the part of those agencies most likely to be utilized in both natural and unnatural disasters. 14. Capital Projects FY07 -What is the status of the new South Kona (Captain Cook) Station? This project is still pending identifying a suitable site for the construction of the facility. I5. Capital Projects FY06 -What is the status of the Police Data/Information Transmission System? The current status of the Police Data/Information Transmission is that we have had to refine the original specifications for the mobile data terminals (MDT) and Purchasing will be putting them out to bid. Once we receive the MDTs we will be able to start a limited connectivity pilot project. In order to expand beyond the limited pilot project we will require additional funding.