N.Y. Public Safety Officials Deal With Knox Box Issue

March 27--WHEATFIELD -- In an effort to calm Knox Box security fears of small group of residents, the town has approved the purchase of Sentralock, a master key retention device.

The device would be installed on all emergency response vehicles that serve the town. It will only be able to be opened an electronic tone sent by the Niagara County Sheriff's Office's dispatch. The sheriff's office would control and document any access into a building through the use of Knox Box keys.

"We have never been able to identify an incident where a volunteer firefighter used a Knox Box key to secure improper entry into any building in New York state ... but this is a good way to keep everyone comfortable," Councilman Art Gerbec said. "It's a win-win situation."

The new devices, which will be owned by the town, will cost about $20,000, Gerbec added.

"It's a little more secure and it's well worth the few bucks for the town," Supervisor Robert Cliffe said, while noting this will be a one-time purchase and installation could begin very soon.

In other town board news:

--Councilman Larry Helwig and Management Information Systems Coordinator Don Wallace are soliciting bids for the installation of a new town wireless network. The bids must use the town's cell tower adjacent to the youth center to establish service not only on town center campus, but also at the Highway, Water/Sewer and the Recreation department buildings.

The current wireless system is 12 years old and parts can no longer be purchased, according to Helwig, who has fielded several phone calls and emails from town employees experiencing technology issues and failures within their offices. A new system would increase speed exponentially and provide no interruption to services, he said. Bids are due by noon Monday as Helwig would like to see this project move as quickly as possible.

"This is going to be a blessing when we get this thing in," he said. "It will be a great improvement and relief for everyone."

Cliffe added, "It's not only going to increase speed, but also make people more efficient. And it's going to save the town money because we don't have to contract out our wireless services every year."

--As the finishing touches are being put on a new electronic surveillance system within town hall, it has been discovered that there is a possibility the new equipment could be used to podcast town board meetings on the town website, Cliffe said.

Building Inspector Joe Caturia is working with the security company to see how well the picture and sounds from the camera will translate to the web. Cliffe said he hopes to have an answer on the podcasts in the next few weeks.

Copyright 2012 - Niagara Gazette, Niagara Falls, N.Y.