Westwood Plans 911 System, Security Upgrades

Westwood officials hope to have upgraded 911 system and security equipment in place in the Municipal Complex within a few months.

The borough Council voted on a pair of ordinances this week appropriating a total of $255,500 for the two projects.

The upgrade will replace existing equipment which has been in use since the Municipal Complex opened in 1994, according to Westwood Police Chief Frank Regino.

"Technology has kind of surpassed the equipment that we have," Regino said.

The upgrades include new computers and switching equipment for the Police Department's 911 system, for which officials put aside $130,000. Improvements to the Municipal Complex's security system will include new door locks, closed-circuit T.V. cameras for halls and holding cells, a PA system and panic buttons in various borough offices. A total of $125,500 was put aside for the security upgrade.

Westwood officials had previously planned to enter a shared service agreement for emergency dispatching with Washington Township, under which both towns would have shared the costs of upgrading 911 equipment. Washington Township ended up not pursuing that plan.

Regino said borough officials hope to have the new equipment installed by June.

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