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Council approves purchase of modern 'throw phones' for hostage-negotiation response
Summary
Council approved a capital purchase already in the fiscal-year budget to replace aging negotiator phones with modern 'throw phones' that include hardwired and Bluetooth connectivity and built-in cameras to improve command-post monitoring during hostage or barricade incidents.
Greenville City Council approved a capital purchase to replace the department's hostage negotiator phones with modern "throw phones" that can be thrown into a structure, provide audio and camera capability, and offer hardwired and Bluetooth connectivity to the command post.
A police presenter explained the older system was unreliable and described how the device is used: "we tactically approach the residents or whatever structure they're in, create an opening in that structure, throw the phone in, and then back off," he said, adding the new unit can be monitored from the command post via Bluetooth. Council approved the purchase, and staff confirmed the item was included in the current fiscal-year capital budget.
Provenance: Topic introduced at SEG 687 and concluded at SEG 775.
