Updated at 2:12 p.m., Thursday, March 29, 2007
Police unveil new disaster command center
Advertiser Staff
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The center also will allow better communications between police and other county, state and federal agencies that respond to various incidents.
The room, in the department's fourth floor conference room, features two banks of six 50-inch television screens that can be operated independently or as unified groups.
Correa said the system, designed by a Mainland firm, GTSI Corp., is only "phase one" of planned HPD technology upgrades.
Correa said the facility "is better than what they have now" at the local FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force office.
Correa acknowledged that the facility "is really costing a lot of money" but noted that the funds came from a 2004 federal Homeland Security grant.
Since 2002, the chief said, HPD has received $12.2 million in such grants and so far has committed to spending $7.7 million.
The new facility "will also help in the fight against crime," said Correa. It will be used for what are called "Honstat" meetings held by HPD every three weeks, in which district commanders must make presentations and answer questions abut law enforcement activities they oversee.
