The Galesburg City Council will vote Monday on two significant proposals to enhance public safety through advanced communication and recording technologies for the Galesburg Police and Fire Departments.
The agenda includes a $1.24 million contract for new radios and a $435,000 deal for upgraded camera systems, both from Motorola Solutions, aimed at improving emergency response, officer accountability, and evidence collection.
New radios to join statewide StarCom21 system
One proposal recommends purchasing and installing 27 mobile and 84 portable radios for $1,240,420.49 to transition both departments to the StarCom21 statewide interoperable radio system. Galesburg Police Chief Kevin Legate and Fire Chief Randy Hovind, who also serves as Knox County EMA Coordinator, emphasized the critical need for this upgrade.
“StarCom21 is the state’s official shared platform for public safety communications,” Chief Legate said. “Leveraging this technology ensures interoperability, allowing Galesburg to move forward in unison with public safety officials across the state for safer, quicker communication.”
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Currently, Galesburg’s Police, Fire, and Knox County Sheriff’s Departments cannot communicate directly via radio, relying on the 911 dispatch center as an intermediary. This limitation can slow response times and strains dispatch resources during large-scale emergencies. Hovind noted that the Knox County Sheriff’s Department and Illinois State Police already use StarCom21, and Galesburg’s transition will enable seamless communication among agencies.
“The ability for all agencies to talk directly will enhance our response efforts, add safety for response personnel, and increase the chances for successful outcomes when assisting the public,” Hovind said.
The new radios, replacing outdated analog models incompatible with StarCom21, will include LTE capability, onsite training, a five-year warranty, and additional battery packs for portables. The transition is targeted for mid-2026, though both chiefs acknowledged the complexity of ensuring no service disruptions during implementation.
Whether the new system will allow public monitoring via scanners remains under review, as encryption options are still being evaluated.
Upgraded police cameras for accountability and evidence
Another proposal involves a $435,342.85 five-year contract for 13 in-car squad cameras, 55 body-worn cameras, and two interview room camera systems. This purchase, partially funded by a $100,000 matching grant from the Small, Rural, and Tribal Body-Worn Camera Program, will replace equipment nearing the end of its useful life by February 2026.
Legate highlighted the cameras’ role in transparency and evidence collection. “The new systems are integral to our mission to provide safe and transparent public service,” he said. “They offer better quality, longer-lasting battery life, and easier utilization to streamline public information requests.”
A standout feature is the integration of body-worn cameras as microphones for officers’ portable radios, enhancing operational efficiency. The cameras also provide extended battery life to last an entire shift, reducing distractions for officers. Additional features include translation services via body cameras and the ability to convert existing footage, a capability that set Motorola’s bid apart from competitors like Axon Enterprise Inc. The city received four proposals after advertising to 14 vendors, selecting Motorola for meeting all specifications, including five-year support and licensing.
Budget and community impact
Both purchases will be funded through the city’s Special Revenue and Capital Project Funds, with sufficient budgets allocated. The camera system’s cost breaks down to $132,358.85 in the first year and $75,746 annually for the next four years, offset by the grant.
Chiefs Legate and Hovind justified the investments as proactive measures to avoid the higher long-term costs of maintaining obsolete equipment. “Sinking funds into outdated technology that’s not compatible with the statewide system would not be beneficial,” they stated. The upgrades promise faster, safer emergency responses and greater transparency, aligning Galesburg’s public safety infrastructure with modern standards.
The City Council meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on Monday at City Hall.
