Feds take over emergency airwaves after interference
By Daniel Borunda / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 06/09/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT


JUAREZ -- Federal authorities took control of the Juárez emergency communication system because it was compromised to the point that narco-corridos could frequently be heard playing on police radios, city officials said.
Mexican Federal Public Safety communication specialists with experience in military communications on Friday took control of the city's 066 emergency system, the equivalent of 911 in the United States.

Besides interference from folk songs about drug traffickers, a review of the Immediate Response Center's system also found that some calls from the public reporting armed groups moving through the city were never forwarded to police in the field, city officials said. Threats would also air on the police radio system.

Juárez news media in recent weeks reported that general threats using police codes were made against the news media and paramedics that might be responding to the shootings that have been taking place daily on city streets.

Federal specialists will improve the system technology in order to not block interference by outside frequencies possibly by organized crime groups, improve police response and increase public confidence.

Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com;546-6102.




http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_9524426