Deering Police Recieve $40,000 in Grants

From: Chief James H. Pushee

The Deering Police Department is proud to announce that in the past two months they have received several grants totaling $40,000.00 for new equipment and training at no cost to the Deering Taxpayers.

In April 2007, using the Project 54 Grant based in Durham, NH, the Department received a basic “CAR54” Program set up to outfit both Deering Police Cruisers with about $7,500.00 in new equipment each ($15,000 total). The new equipment includes Itronix GoBook Laptop computers with docking stations and software, Whelen LED Lightbars and control boxes, sirens, speakers, consoles, and more.  The grant included installation costs and training. The system it already installed in our new 2007 Ford CrownVic Police Sedan, and will be installed in the 2003 Ford Police Expedition shortly.  This system provides officers with “hands & eyes free” control for most of the police vehicle’s emergency equipment, allowing the officers to maintain concentration on the roadway when involved in emergency driving situations.

On May 31, 2007, thanks to assistance from Art Durette at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Alan Topliff and his staff from Wrights Communications installed a new M/A-Com P7100 Base Station Digital Radio in the Police Department Offices. Previously, the Deering Officers would have to rely upon battery operated portable radios for communications while working in the office. This new base radio with installation is valued at about $10,000.00, and was received on a 2005 Homeland Security Communications Infrastructure Grant that will also be placing a County Frequency Repeater System on the current Wolf Hill Communications Tower.

Finally, on June 1, 2007, Captain Thomas Cavanaugh reported to New Orleans, LA, for training in preparation to receive the Department’s new “Thermalvision Scout” hand-held Thermal Imaging Camera. This Thermal Imager, and the training session (which included all transportation, lodging, and meals), is valued at over $15,000.00. This Thermal Imaging equipment and training was received on a CEDAP (Community Equipment Direct Access Program) grant similar to the Technology Transfer Program which provided the Deering Police with its first Thermal Imaging camera back in 2004. The newest unit is more “user friendly” for everyday “patrol” officers, and will be kept in the primary patrol sedan, while the other Raytheon Thermal Imaging unit will be kept in the Expedition SUV, allowing both patrol vehicles to have this technology and equipment readily on hand.