Neb. Police Chief Seeks Federal Funds for Aging Radio System Replacement
What to know
- Lincoln police are seeking roughly $4.6 million in federal funding to begin replacing aging radio equipment that officials say is nearing the end of its service life.
- A proposed $4.2 million earmark backed by Rep. Mike Flood would fund infrastructure upgrades, improve communications between tower sites and replace 225 portable radios used by police and fire personnel.
- Police Chief Michon Morrow said much of the department's radio equipment has reached end of life, making replacement a critical public safety priority for dispatchers and first responders.
With critical radio equipment used by first responders nearing its "end of life," Lincoln city leaders are looking to 1st Congressional District Rep. Mike Flood to secure federal funding to help with replacement costs.
The Lincoln Police Department submitted a roughly $4.6 million request to Flood's office to complete the "first critical phase" of the Lincoln Police Department Radio Replacement Project.
In a statement Wednesday, Flood's office said securing federal funding for the first phase of this project was a "top priority" for the city of Lincoln.
"Public safety starts with giving our law enforcement the tools they need to do their jobs well. I'm proud to fight for the resources Nebraska agencies need to protect our communities, and I'm hopeful we can get this funding across the finish line," Flood said in a statement.
While the funding is not yet secured, a $4.2 million earmark was included in the House version of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2027 at Flood's request.
The House Committee on Appropriations passed the spending bill on May 13. It has yet to be taken up by the full body.
If the funding is approved, it would be used to make needed radio system infrastructure upgrades to Jensen Park Tower, LPD's prime site; replace equipment to improve communication between the three tower sites; and replace 225 portable radios across the Lincoln Police and Fire Departments.
Jensen Park Tower is one of three primary radio sites that communicates with the Lincoln Emergency Communications Center, which provides dispatching service for LPD, Lincoln Fire and Rescue and the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office in addition to 13 rural fire agencies.
The Lincoln Emergency Communications Center is the primary public safety answering point for the city of Lincoln and Lancaster County, meaning all 911 calls in the area are processed there.
At the Aug. 7 quarterly meeting of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Justice Council, Lincoln Police Chief Michon Morrow emphasized the need for federal funding to help with the cost of replacing the radio system, saying much of LPD's radio equipment is "at a point of end of life."
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