CLEARFIELD – An upgraded computer system for the Clearfield Borough Police Department was heavily debated at the regular Clearfield Borough Council meeting Thursday night.
The proposed software was Metroalert Police Software for a total cost of $11,653. This would include hardware, software and contractual services with ProCom Computer Services. As much of the existing hardware would be utilized as possible. A server and 128 bit encryption firewall would be installed.
Lance Bunnell from ProCom was present to answer questions from the council. He also explained what the system would do for the Clearfield Police Department. Police Chief Vince McGinnis stated the condition of the borough’s police computer systems later in the meeting, but Bunnell was already aware of them when he spoke.
Currently none of the computers communicate well together. An officer going through his workflow has to move from computer to computer to use different software programs. The systems are crashing more frequently and McGinnis wasn’t sure if the backup systems were even working. Bunnell implied that some of the officers are using gMail and Yahoo email accounts for work.
Bunnell said the Metroalert system, used by other area departments such as in DuBois, would link the computers together. Each computer would have a set amount of officers able to simultaneously work in reports, etc., from any designated computer. While in the office an officer can stay at one computer and pass it off, or continue working on it, from another computer with ease. The systems would be protected by a firewall. The department’s data would be backed up locally for 24 hours. To further prevent the risk of data loss if a disaster destroyed the office after twenty-four hours the data would be backed up to an encrypted off site server.
Both council members James Kling and Fred Wisor had concerns regarding the cost of the system. Kling’s objections were predominantly aimed at a described habit of the council to come up with large non-budgeted items halfway through the year.
Borough Manager Leslie Stott assured the council she could find the money by skimping funds from other budgeted items.
