The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program was established by the United States Congress as part of the CARES Act of 2020 (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) and allocated $150 billion to the city, county, state, federal and tribal governments. The allocation was to provide department use of the funds to supplement and offer assistance during these trying times. The City of Colton Police Department was allocated $48,526.
The Colton Police Department became aware of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic in late February/Early March. The Department took a proactive approach, activated the Emergency Operations Center along with the Colton Fire Department, and began to prepare for a possible shut down of the city.
The Police Department and City had several meetings and determined that the primary concerns are protecting employees and continuing to service the community. In order to meet these concerns, PPE’s (personal protective equipment) and supplies were purchased on behalf of employees for use in the field and office. Several employees who had laptops were able to telecommute and be away from the station, allowing for fewer employees present in the workplace. It was realized early that laptops for essential workers along with Dispatch equipment was needed.
As confirmed cases of infections and deaths increased it became increasingly difficult to obtain PPEs and disinfecting products, including hand sanitizer. As a result, the Department has researched alternative means of sanitizing equipment and vehicles that employees use. These efforts, along with a telecommuting initiative, reduce the risk of exposure. Due to the unknown duration of the pandemic or any recurrence, it is in the best interest of the community, businesses and employees to purchase or continue to purchase the necessary equipment and services, to attempt to prevent further spread of this pandemic or any ones in the future.
The Department is requesting the purchase of several mobile dispatching laptops, including software to have the ability to remotely telecommute outside of the Dispatch Center and/or the physical Police Department. The Department is also requesting to purchase a device to allow dispatchers to receive 9-1-1 calls away from the Dispatch Center and/or the Police Department along with mobile dispatching anywhere outside of the Dispatch Center (Vesta Command Center and Craddlepoint Mobile Router). This will allow for uninterrupted dispatching if the Dispatch Center would get contaminated.
The Vesta Command Center and Craddlepoint Mobile Router will allow the Police Department to dispatch from outside the walls of the physical Police Department building if ever needed. In case of any emergency, the Vesta Command Center can be taken anywhere and calls can continue being dispatched, making it possible to respond to the needs of the residents of Colton and surrounding cities. By doing this, the safety of the residents of Colton would be continued.