What's happening: The Upper Peninsula has a new communication center after celebrating a ribbon cutting at the Michigan State Police Negaunee Post on Wednesday, Oct. 11. The new center will serve as a command center for major emergencies that impact the region and as the 911 dispatch for six Upper Peninsula counties. More than 15 miles of cables were needed to connect all of the dispatcher stations and the command screen, which can be split up to watch over 200 different video feeds.
How it was funded: The project cost more than $4 million, with funding coming from state 911 funds, the MSP general fund, and the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB). No additional local funding or millages were used in financing the project.
What they're saying: “By having the new center, we’re going to have more modern systems, more connectivity, and then that keeps everybody safe because you have faster response times, we can dispatch people more accurately and give better service to the Upper Peninsula,” said Section Commander F/Lt. Michael Teachout.
What's next: The command center continues to improve the Michigan State Police Negaunee Post compound -- it's the latest upgrade at the location. Other recent improvements, ranging from new parking lots to outbuildings and storage, have helped grow the compound into the main location for the Michigan State Police in the Upper Peninsula.
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