Michigan Governor Orders Local Law Enforcement Access to Wireless Towers

April 21, 2003 By Government Technology

LANSING, Mich. -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm issued an order last week that will allow local law enforcement agencies to mount their own radio communications equipment on 181 radio towers erected around the state for the Michigan Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS).

"In these days, when homeland security and emergency management are among our country's first priorities, coordination, cooperation, and communication are key," Granholm said. "It is critical that local law enforcement agencies be able to communicate effectively with other first responders, particularly the Michigan State Police."

The governor's order, Executive Directive 2003-12, instructs state department directors and agency heads to permit any governmental public safety agency to install public safety communications equipment on the MPSCS towers so long as the equipment is compatible with the state's equipment, according to the governor's office.

Any installation, operation, maintenance and removal costs associated with the local law enforcement equipment will be paid for by the local governmental entity, the governor's office said.

"The reliable, clear, and complete communication services provided by MPSCS are essential in providing law enforcement and emergency personnel with fast and accurate information," Granholm said.

Since 1994, Michigan has invested more than $200 million to create MSPCS -- a communications system for law enforcement and emergency personnel that allows Michigan State Police troopers and other government officials to talk to each other from anywhere in the state.

The Office of Gov. Jennifer Granholm

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