American Legion Posts 7 and 9 are joining forces to raise funds destined for a major upgrade of the Chapala police department’s radio communication equipment.
To that end they are throwing a big fiesta called Power the Tower, to be held Saturday, March 16, 1 to 5 p.m., on the grounds of La Cristiania Park.
Proceeds will go towards the purchase of a Motorola MOTORBO DGR 6175 repeater, the main component of a sophisticated digital radio system that will enhance all facets of communications between police headquarters, roving patrols and top echelon city hall officials.
“The radio equipment we are working with now is obsolete and has very limited capacity,” explains police commander Ramon del Arco. “The new system will allow us to maintain simultaneous contact with all police units, improving our ability to quickly respond to emergencies and better carry out coordinated actions to track down criminals.”
Cutting edge gear included in the complete radio package offers a gamut of special attributes that go well beyond standard voice communications. It can be used to transmit data to pinpoint the location and follow movements of all patrols in real time, and even find portable radios that are lost or stolen. Communications can be exchanged through text messages, limited access radio channels that curtail eavesdropping by unknown or undesirable parties, or closed modes employed to convey confidential information to selected recipients.
In addition, under arrangements hashed out with the Motorola supplier, the police department will be able to trade in its used radio equipment for credit on the acquisition of brand new devices.
The Power the Tower party will feature a Mexican luncheon buffet, live entertainment by Mariachi Los Gavilanes and a 50/50 raffle. Cash bar service opens at 1 p.m., with meal service starting at 2 p.m. The price of admission is 250 pesos per person.
Purchase advance tickets at American Legion Post 7, Morelos 114, Fonda de Chapala adjacent to the plaza and public market; or police headquarters, Niños Heroes at Zaragoza. Ajijic ticket outlets are the Lake Chapala Society, 16 de Septiembre 16-A and Diane Pearl Colecciones, Colon at Ocampo.