Communication Breakdown

VINCENNES, IND. (WTHI) -      Frustrations are mounting in a southern Indiana county over an expensive new dispatch system.

     Last month Knox County began trying to put a new quarter million dollar computer aided dispatch system on line.

     The new system is so full of problems that officials are now enlisting the aid of the county attorney to try to get it working.

     The Knox County E-911 Center has a lot of new equipment and new software to run it.

     The computer aided dispatch system purchased from Interact was supposed to be a big upgrade.

     Instead it has been a major disappointment that doesn't fully work.

     "We're having some issues with connectivity with the product not meshing together to provide the proper information that's required on a daily basis for a dispatch center," said Knox County Sheriff Mike Morris.

     Officials say this new computer aided dispatch system has been full of problems and problems out on the street translate into danger.

     Deputies rely on the system to provide them with quick information on hazards like prior arrests and incidents.

     Information they aren't getting in a timely manner now.

     "We rely on the CAD system to provide all that information to us instead of knocking on a door and dispatch coming back, oh, by the way he's armed," said Morris.

     Dispatch and police have taken their concerns with the system to the county commissioners asking for help in getting the company to get all of the elements working properly.

     Commissioner President Kevin Meyer says the county attorney is now working on a solution.

     "He's going to shoot a letter off to the company and voice our concerns and tell them the things we feel we were promised that we're not getting," said Meyer.

     Local officials say they haven't given up on the idea of getting the system to operate properly, and for now will continue to work toward a solution, but they will not spend any more money to make that happen.

     Officials say that if they cannot get the issues resolved they may tear out the new system completely and go back to using the old one.