Atlanta Interview

David Schoenberger

Atlanta Police Department Interview
June 19, 2000
Senior Electronics Technician Cedric Crochran

System Structure

How many users of the system? Police? Fire? Other services?
Crochran estimated 6000-8000 users of the entire system. His department programs the radios for all city agencies, but repairs the radios for the police only.

Problems with too many users wanting access at a given time?
"No, not right now." On the old system, which had nine channels, it "was a problem."

Problems with frequency allocations?
"No."

How many tower locations?
There are six tower locations.

Do the tower locations provide adequate coverage of the city?
Crochran said this was a "loaded question," and to ask Major Gordon.

System Performance

Problems with interference?
The city has "had problems with interference in the last six months." Crochran suspects that cell sites are causing the interference.

Problems with missed radio calls/cutoffs?
"No."

Problems in major emergency/disaster with overuse?
"No." The trunked system "alleviated this problem."

Problems with system failing entirely?
"Once, [but it] didn't stay out too long."

Problems with related support systems, such as computers and 911 services?
Crochran noted that the 911 systems are handled by Bell South. They are tied in to the radio system, but the department does not service them.

Options in case of system failure?
As a backup, the city has Failsoft mode, which uses the trunked channels in conventional mode. The city also has four UHF channels available for use.

How satisfied with the system are the dispatchers?
Crochran said to "ask them." He said "compared to what they had, they like [the current system] much more."

How satisfied with the system are officers?
"Very happy."

How satisfied with the system are communications managers/support personnel?
The system is "better than what they had." Repairs and programming are easier, and the system is "much clearer."

Is interoperability a problem, especially in major incidents?
Interoperability can be a problem, because there are "outside agencies on the system."

System Cost

How much did the current system cost?
Crochran estimates $35-37 million.

How much are maintenance costs per year?
Crochran said to ask Major Gordon this question.

Has upgrading to a trunked system decreased maintenance costs?
"Yeah, because parts were hard to obtain with the old system. A part cost more than a radio."

Adequate funding for maintenance/upgrades?
"Yeah, but [we] could use more."

System Upgrades

What are planned upgrades in support systems (e.g. CAD, MDTs, Enhanced 911, etc.)?
The department is upgrading these systems "all the time." It is an "ongoing process." This includes the software used in the various systems.

How would a digital system help/hurt the city?
Crochran noted that with a digital system, one "either hears or does not. You give something up to get something. Security-wise, it's better."

Are upgrades sometimes foregone because of inadequate funding?
Crochran said to ask Major Gordon this question.

Are upgrades sometimes foregone because of conflicts with local government?
Crochran noted that the "people who make decisions are not in the field."

System Politics

Conflicts with communications managers and radio manufacturers (Motorola, GE, etc.)?
The manufacturer has been "pretty good." The support has been "good."

Has the system been in the news much recently?
Crochran said this was a "loaded question."

How satisfied is the public with the system?
Crochran said this was a "loaded question."

Other Notes

Crochran answered some questions about the trunked system and the 1996 Summer Olympics, as well as some general questions about the trunked system.

He said the trunked system was not built "merely for the Olympics." The city "had to do something anyway." The system was "in the works since at least '88." The whole system was in place for the Olympics, and "worked great during the Olympics."

With the current system, the dispatcher sometimes "gets 'bonking' sounds." The old system "didn't have as much interference." However, "the new system is okay." The dispatchers are "used to the old" system, and it "takes time to learn the computers." Crochran said many of the dispatchers are not computer literate.