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Limestone County approves in‑car radio and extender for Precinct 2 constable
Summary
The county commission approved buying and installing an in‑car radio and a Bluetooth extender for the Precinct 2 constable, after discussion about coverage, handheld performance and short‑term options for communication.
The Limestone County Commission approved purchasing an in‑car radio and a Bluetooth extender for the Precinct 2 constable, authorizing the purchase after discussion about coverage limits of handheld radios and options for short‑term replacements.
Commissioners debated several options for providing the constable with reliable radio communication, including buying a used in‑dash radio and pairing it with an extender, buying new equipment from a single vendor, or supplying a temporary handheld from existing county inventory. The commission voted to buy an in‑car radio and extender package quoted at about $2,700 and authorized installation by county radio technician Matt (installation and radio work), and also made an earlier temporary funding decision to provide up to $1,000 if needed to get immediate communications in place.
Why it matters: Commissioners and law enforcement officials said the constable currently lacks reliable off‑vehicle communication and that shortfalls could affect officer safety and response. The discussion focused on whether handheld radios would be sufficient when the constable is away from the vehicle and on whether buying both units from one vendor would simplify servicing.
The constable said he “doesn’t have a radio at all,” and asked for equipment that would allow him to make contact when away from his vehicle. County radio technician Matt described tradeoffs: a mobile unit is higher power than a handheld and extenders or repeaters can be needed for consistent coverage. Sheriff’s Office representatives said handhelds typically work when the car is nearby and with a repeater, but coverage drops without that infrastructure.
The commission considered bids from two vendors: a Houston company offering discounted radios but not the extender, and a closer vendor (Huffman) that could supply both the in‑car radio and the extender for a combined price of approximately $2,709. Commissioners noted that buying both items from one vendor would mean a single installer and single warranty/service point; that price difference was described in the meeting as about $1,044 more than buying only the used in‑dash radio and sourcing the extender separately.
Commissioners also discussed short‑term solutions. The county indicated it might reassign one of several surplus radios from county inventory as a stopgap while the purchased unit is obtained and installed; county staff estimated they could install a spare radio within a few days once an antenna and minor parts were supplied.
The commission made several related motions during the item: a motion to fund up to $1,000 immediately to ensure the constable had some communications, and a subsequent motion to purchase the in‑car radio and extender package (approximately $2,700) with installation. Both measures were approved by voice vote.
Going forward: County staff said they will coordinate installation and check existing spare radios for temporary use while the purchased equipment is procured and installed.
