OpenSky police communications system has failed numerous times and has cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars, according to aldermen.
By H. Nelson Goodson
March 22, 2011
Milwaukee - On Tuesday, the Common Council Public Safety Committee passed a resolution with a vote of 3-2 to subpoena Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn to release records on OpenSky radio police communications system. Chief Flynn has denied previous requests of open records to release information concerning the failed communications system that has cost taxpayers tens of millions ($18.5 million). Flynn has cited that the requests are to broad and could cost the department at least 1,500 man hours to collect and provide it for the Safety Committee.
The Milwaukee Journal has also requested for Flynn to release information on OpenSky in a narrower request, but the chief has denied it, citing the request was to broad, according to the aldermen.
The committee cited the OpenSky system has broken down, Alderman Bob Donovan, the committee's chair had witnessed the breakdown while accompanying police officers, compelling evidence exists of the system failure and Chief Flynn's failure to comply and appear before the committee to testify in regards to OpenSky. Donovan wants to hold Chief Flynn and the police department accountable, including the OpenSky vendor Harris Corporation.
The two desenting Aldermen Robert Puente and Terry Witkowski argued, the subpoena and 8 years of records requested would cost the city about $100,000 for attorney fees, staff and making copies relating to the request. The city attorney confirmed it could not represent either the police department or the Common Council, if the case concerning open records request and the Safety Committee's investigation ends up in a legal battle. Each would have to hire their own separate attorneys to represent them.
Alderman Joe Davis Sr. responded that it has cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars for a police communications system and has not been performing to the department needs. Alderman James Witkowiak agreed and if a police officer's life is saved by initiating an investigation to get to the bottom of the problem, it would be worth it. He suggested to return the unopen boxes of OpenSky equipment back to the company and save thousands of dollars.
Alderman Bob Donovan wants to see, if the bidding process was done appropriately and a study that cost $200,000 before the OpenSky procurement was approved showed any signs the system had problems. Motorola Communications & Electronics Inc. who didn't get the bid or apply for it at the time had raised some questions concerning the OpenSky specifications alleging, the specifications were created to prevent other vendors from bidding, but aldermen in 2002 failed to follow up. Motorola was the previous vendor for the analog police radio system that was replaced.
Aldermen including Donovan did approve the passage of the bid for OpenSky when it was first introduced, according to records. Since then, prior failures of the system that have been recorded has led Donovan to act and initiate a Safety Committee investigation into the police communications system.
Donovan says, the system broke down for about a half hour on October 11, 2010. Police officers resorted to using personal cell phones to communicate with each other and the department during emergencies.
Donovan had been trying since then to get information from Chief Flynn and had even called Flynn's office to discuss the issue, but Flynn has failed to answer or return any calls.
Alderman Davis confirmed that he even requested some information concerning OpenSky and Chief Flynn never responded back.
The Milwaukee Police Association (union) says, OpenSky is putting officers lives at risk and has condemn the system.
On Wednesday, the full Common Council will voted on the subpoena and investigation measure.
The Open Sky system has prevented the media and public from monitoring calls with scanners. Less incidents around neighborhoods have been reported by the media. Alderman Donovan wants media to be allowed to monitor calls so, they can report and inform the community on what is happening in their neighborhoods. Chief Flynn on the contrary has said, it's a police officer safety issue, but when the communication system was analog, the media could monitor calls and incidents with scanners.
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By H. Nelson Goodson
March 22, 2011
Milwaukee - On Tuesday, the Common Council Public Safety Committee passed a resolution with a vote of 3-2 to subpoena Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn to release records on OpenSky radio police communications system. Chief Flynn has denied previous requests of open records to release information concerning the failed communications system that has cost taxpayers tens of millions ($18.5 million). Flynn has cited that the requests are to broad and could cost the department at least 1,500 man hours to collect and provide it for the Safety Committee.
The Milwaukee Journal has also requested for Flynn to release information on OpenSky in a narrower request, but the chief has denied it, citing the request was to broad, according to the aldermen.
The committee cited the OpenSky system has broken down, Alderman Bob Donovan, the committee's chair had witnessed the breakdown while accompanying police officers, compelling evidence exists of the system failure and Chief Flynn's failure to comply and appear before the committee to testify in regards to OpenSky. Donovan wants to hold Chief Flynn and the police department accountable, including the OpenSky vendor Harris Corporation.
The two desenting Aldermen Robert Puente and Terry Witkowski argued, the subpoena and 8 years of records requested would cost the city about $100,000 for attorney fees, staff and making copies relating to the request. The city attorney confirmed it could not represent either the police department or the Common Council, if the case concerning open records request and the Safety Committee's investigation ends up in a legal battle. Each would have to hire their own separate attorneys to represent them.
Alderman Joe Davis Sr. responded that it has cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars for a police communications system and has not been performing to the department needs. Alderman James Witkowiak agreed and if a police officer's life is saved by initiating an investigation to get to the bottom of the problem, it would be worth it. He suggested to return the unopen boxes of OpenSky equipment back to the company and save thousands of dollars.
Alderman Bob Donovan wants to see, if the bidding process was done appropriately and a study that cost $200,000 before the OpenSky procurement was approved showed any signs the system had problems. Motorola Communications & Electronics Inc. who didn't get the bid or apply for it at the time had raised some questions concerning the OpenSky specifications alleging, the specifications were created to prevent other vendors from bidding, but aldermen in 2002 failed to follow up. Motorola was the previous vendor for the analog police radio system that was replaced.
Aldermen including Donovan did approve the passage of the bid for OpenSky when it was first introduced, according to records. Since then, prior failures of the system that have been recorded has led Donovan to act and initiate a Safety Committee investigation into the police communications system.
Donovan says, the system broke down for about a half hour on October 11, 2010. Police officers resorted to using personal cell phones to communicate with each other and the department during emergencies.
Donovan had been trying since then to get information from Chief Flynn and had even called Flynn's office to discuss the issue, but Flynn has failed to answer or return any calls.
Alderman Davis confirmed that he even requested some information concerning OpenSky and Chief Flynn never responded back.
The Milwaukee Police Association (union) says, OpenSky is putting officers lives at risk and has condemn the system.
On Wednesday, the full Common Council will voted on the subpoena and investigation measure.
The Open Sky system has prevented the media and public from monitoring calls with scanners. Less incidents around neighborhoods have been reported by the media. Alderman Donovan wants media to be allowed to monitor calls so, they can report and inform the community on what is happening in their neighborhoods. Chief Flynn on the contrary has said, it's a police officer safety issue, but when the communication system was analog, the media could monitor calls and incidents with scanners.
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