106-E. SCC Sheriff's Letter dated 6/23/10.pdfAttachment E
County of Santa Clara
Office; of the Sheriff
SS WCSt YOuNer Avea-me
Sal] Jose. Cali(omia 9S 1 10-1 721
(408) 808-4900
UILV1C SIT1111I
SI14.rilf
June 23, 2010
Rich KItson
City of Cupertino
10300 Torre Ave.
Cupertino, Ca. 95014
Dear Rick,
Recently I had been requested to respond to any concerns or needs relating to Public Safety
services, and needs that the Sheriff's Office may have for cell phone services in the City of
Cupertino.
The Sheriffs Office provides the Public Safety services to the city of Cupertino. One of the
tools used by the Sheriff s Office is the Mobil Data Terminals in the vehicles, as well as cell
phones. The MDTs in the vehicle rely upon cell service in order to have a connection, and keep
a connection while on patrol in the city. The deputies also use their cell phones to communicate
from time to time, We have noticed that there are several areas within the city limits of
Cupertino that we do not have good cell service. When the cell service fails, it causes the MDT
in the vehicle to shut down. This creates and service problem for the deputy working in that
area, or passing through that area. He/She then has to wait until they are back in an area where
there is good cell service before they can use the MDT in the vehicle, or their cell phone to
communicate with dispatch. It becomes frustrating to the deputies to continue to lose cell service
and continually have to restart their systems. Cupertino's coverage is relatively good, but there
are several areas where cell service becomes a problem.
The Sheriffs Office would strongly support any additional cell towers that could be placed in the
city of Cupertino to improve those areas that lack coverage. This would help assure that deputies
remain connected in order to provide service obligations to the city. The additional cell coverage
will help to increase officer safety by not losing access to MDTs and cell phones. It would also
assist when we have to set up an Incident Command Post to monitor and rqn an incident. When
in an area with little to no cell service, communication for an incident becomes critical and no
service puts residents and Iaw enforcement personnel at risk.
Sincerely,-
r
Captain Terry Calderone
West Valley Division Commander