West Contra Costa, Alameda Counties to Share Communication Systems

-By Bay City News Service

The sheriff's offices of Contra Costa counties and Alameda this week launched a new communications system that will allow officers and dispatchers from parts of both counties to better communicate.

The newly launched "west cell" communications system will link deputy sheriffs patrolling west Contra Costa County with public safety officials and government agencies in parts of Alameda County, according to the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office.

"This is the fist significant step towards interoperability," Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston said in a statement.

"Eventually deputies on the front lines and sheriff's office dispatchers can talk directly to an other city or county agency within Contra Costa or Alameda counties.

Plans to launch an east Contra Costa County cell is expected to take place this summer, and a central cell is expected to up and running later this year, according to the sheriff's office.