Pittsfield Officials Say Public Safety Upgrades Will Save Lives

officials say expenditures approved at its December board meeting will save lives and extend the life of their building.

Supervisor Mandy Grewal credited the township's "fiscal responsibility" and a mandate from voters allowed the township to make the purchases.

“The attitude (of focusing on public safety) is derived from the millage vote that we took to the voters in May of 2011. When it was approved by 71 percent, it was a clear message that the residents highly prioritized public safety. We want to make sure that we make the requisite investments at this time to continue the existing level of service to our residents,” Grewal said.

At the board meeting, the trustees approved supplemental renovations to the public safety building that is already under construction. The building will have new video security cameras as well as a digital video recording server.

Grewal said she considers the renovations as something that extend the life of the building.

“The changes that we’re making to the building structure are being done in a way that will allow us to continue using the building in the long term. We don’t want to make any short-term investments; everything is done with the goal of ensuring that they will carry through the next 20 years. The purposes may change over a period of time, but the goal is to ensure these investments are for the long term,” Grewal said.

Public Safety Director Matthew Harshberger looked ahead into 2012 and got approval for the purchase of six new vehicles for the department. The purchases are budgeted for next year, but the order takes around three months to fill. The current Ford Crown Victorias, which have been discontinued by Ford, will be replaced by five Chevy Tahoes. The department will also purchase a Ford Fusion for support services.

“(Ford) is not making the Crown Vics anymore, so everyone has to switch to new makes and models for patrol vehicles. In our studies, the Tahoe is the universal choice. It’s not really an SUV; its pursuit rated and built specifically for police patrol operations,” Harsberger said.

Field work is getting equipment upgrades as well. The police force is updating its ballistic equipment that is currently 20 years old. They are receiving five new tactical vests and helmets as well as a protective shield. The fire department is receiving a handheld thermal imaging camera that will help the fire crews locate people in emergency situations as well as hidden fires in buildings, according to  Harshberger.

“The equipment we have has expended its lifespan. We’re trying to purchase new equipment to replace it, like patrol vehicles and ballistic equipment. We currently have helmet imaging cameras (for the fire department) that are not as effective. The handheld camera will be a new piece of equipment that will save lives,” Harshberger said.