MARION – The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office earlier this month successfully transitioned to a new digital countywide radio communication systems.

According to the sheriff’s office, this cutting-edge system, which has been in development for over a year and a half, represents a significant milestone in enhancing public safety, as well as the safety and efficiency of law enforcement professionals in the county.

The new Motorola system, which replaces a radio communication system dating back to the late 1990s, offers the latest technology available and is specifically designed to cater to the needs of Williamson County.

By utilizing existing governmental towers and strategically repositioning transmission devices, the system has been optimized for maximum performance without additional cost to taxpayers.

One of the key improvements of this new system is the expansion of interconnected communication towers to include one in each quadrant of the county, ensuring comprehensive coverage and reliable connectivity for law enforcement personnel.

This upgrade addresses the limitations of the previous system, which had become increasingly unreliable and outdated in recent years.

The digital capabilities will allow deputies to have interoperability with other agencies such as police, fire, and EMS within and around Williamson County.

Sheriff Jeff Diederich expressed his gratitude to Novacom of Herrin for their comprehensive engineering and installation services throughout the project.

With the exception of two southern towers, which are expected to come online in the next three weeks, the system installation is now complete, marking a significant milestone for the sheriff’s office.

“It is a privilege to have the opportunity to undertake a project of this magnitude and see it through to completion, knowing that it will serve our community and the men and women of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office far into the future,” said Sheriff Jeff Diederich.

The new Motorola Digital Radio system, originally estimated to cost $173,296.10 was funded through American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds the county received from the Federal Government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This system was later expanded and reliability, coverage density, clarity, and system lifespan were improved at a final cost of $275,000.00. The system is designed to meet new federal guidelines.

The new digital radio communication system represents a long-term investment in the safety and effectiveness of law enforcement operations in Williamson County.

Its engineering, reliability, and coverage envelope encapsulates, and in most cases, spans well beyond Williamson County’s 444 square mile jurisdiction, setting a new standard for communication technology in the region.