Winchester deputy chief asks county to help update end‑of‑life police radios; commissioners ask for countywide survey
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Summary
Deputy Chief Brandon Borndohler told commissioners Winchester’s portable radios are end‑of‑life and unable to receive encryption; he asked for county assistance and commissioners asked him to survey all towns to allow an equitable countywide approach.
Brandon Borndohler, deputy chief of police with the Winchester Police Department, told the commissioners his department’s portable radios are at end of life and cannot receive software updates or encryption. He said that limitation prevents officers from accessing encrypted channels used by neighboring jurisdictions and raised information‑security concerns because radio traffic can be captured and posted via scanner apps.
Borndohler asked whether the county could contribute to replacing or upgrading radios; he said the city could pay half but sought county assistance given the cost. Commissioners said they were sympathetic but emphasized fairness: if the county assists Winchester, it should consider similar needs in Union City, Farmland, Ridgeville and other towns. Commanders asked Borndohler to survey all municipalities to determine which agencies are already upgraded, which need equipment, and what reimbursement or assistance would look like so the county can consider a single coordinated program instead of piecemeal help.
No appropriation or firm commitment was made at the meeting; commissioners directed Borndohler to gather information and return with consolidated numbers so the county can evaluate options equitably.