By Joe Bachman
Editor

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — City officials approved a request from Chief of Police Erman Blevins to install a public safety simulcast radio system for the department on Tuesday.

According to Blevins, this comes after research indicating poor radio reception for police department radios in parts of Wisconsin Rapids. A study by Menasha firm Baycom has suggested that additional radio signal repeaters are needed to boost signals in several areas.

“They [Baycom] have put together a proposal to solve our problems by adding a simulcast system,” said Police Chief Erman Blevins to finance members.

A quote received from Baycom, was in the amount of $137,692 — all which are within the city budget, though not out of the specific police department budget. This quote includes various sites at the south water tower, Alton St. water tower, a microwave link and a filtering system.

This will likely gain final approval through next week’s city council meeting.