Jersey City gets state grant for 911 response center

Monday, June 30, 2008
By KEN THORBOURNE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Jersey City is $2.2 million closer to its goal of creating a state-of-the-art 911 emergency response center, officials announced last week.

The $2.2 million grant from the New Jersey Office of Telecommunications will be used to buy equipment for the combined police-fire-medical services 911 center the city plans to open at Bishop Street and Cornelison Avenue early next year, officials said.

The equipment, including computer screens, phones, switches and cable lines, will give the city one of the highest levels of integration among its police data base, phones, and closed circuit TV systems in the nation, said Police Officer John Tkaczyk, the department's senior systems administrator.

So, for example, a member of the public who takes a photo of a crime in progress would be able to email the photo to the police, as well as a text message.

Police and other emergency responders would have the photo, the text message, as well as "real-time" closed circuit video and data about the individuals involved or the building where the crime is taking place, Tkaczyk said.

The capacity of the police department to field 911 calls will also leap from the current 8 to 9 positions to a total capacity of 52 positions at the $20 million center, Tkaczyk said.

"Together with the Jersey City Police Department, we are strongly committed to equipping our police officers and emergency services personnel so they can best protect our city and residents," said Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy.