Police say computer system overhaul overdue
Upgrade to modern software and equipment would cost $678K
BY CHRIS GAETANO
Staff Writer

SOUTH BRUNSWICK - Police say it's time for them to update their computer systems and join the 21st century.

During the Township Council's Jan. 9 meeting, police, together with Township Manager Matthew Watkins, presented a proposal for upgrading the current system, which is more than 20 years old. According to Chief Raymond Hayducka, the force would like the township to invest in the Enforsys system to replace the current CPLIMS package.

According to Capt. Patrick Owens, support for the current system will soon run out, which means that the department will be unable to acquire and install key upgrades and will also lose access to technical support from the company, which means that if the system were to ever crash, the department might not be able to get help. This was in addition to the assessment offered by those giving the presentation that the department needed to upgrade to something more modern anyway.

"[The current system] has run out its useful life. ... In 20 years, it's served its purpose, but it's time to get a new system," said Watkins.

The upgrade, which would be estimated to take about a year, would cost $678,590. This is the combined cost for the software itself, the licensing from Microsoft, the new servers needed to handle the system, 44 mobile computers compatible with the system, 44 modems, phone service for the computers under the EUDO system and a 10 percent included buffer. According to Owens, the department has secured $37,000 in grants to help defray costs and is currently pursuing two more worth $100,000 each.

"It's a big expense, quite frankly, but it's [one that is] sorely needed by the town," said Owens.

The department saw the need for a new system approaching around October of 2005, when a technology committee was formed to recommend new software and hardware. Hayducka said that they visited numerous police departments to see how other towns used their computers, and in the end recommended the Enforsys system. It was recommended for a number of reasons, but many of them had to do with improving communications all over. It was said, for example, that the Middlesex County Sheriff's Department is currently integrating Enforsys into its own systems. According to Owens, this will let the local police communicate more efficiently with the county in instances where it is needed. The addition of mobile computers with modem capacity will also improve communications between police in the field and headquarters.

"The officers in the car would be able to access the computer inside headquarters that contains all the relevant information that we need, whether it be checking someone's name, checking an address in town to see any activity there, things of that nature," said Owens, citing one example of what would be possible under the new system that is not possible now.

Watkins also pointed out that the Enforsys system would be compatible with current software in both the police department and in the township, in particular with the township's current efforts to integrate data into its GIS (Global Information System) map. This means, Watkins said, that police might be able to detect a gas leak or other utility failure before being reported.

If adopted, all police staff will require training for the new system, which would be provided by Enforsys for no additional cost. The department would need to run parallel systems for about three months before everything is integrated with the new software. Owens also said that the company is willing to customize the software to fit the department's specifications for free.

The Plainsboro Police Department has used the Enforsys system for about five years now and its has, according to Chief Elizabeth Bondurant, been working to her satisfaction.

"I think it's all working relatively well," said Bondurant.

The council seemed receptive to the new system. If the process goes without interruptions, the funds for the new system could be bonded as soon as the end of January.

"I want our police department to have the best system that we can ... and if we don't, we're in trouble," Mayor Frank Gambatese said.