-CORAOPOLIS-
Coraopolis council members voted Nov. 4 to install GPS tracking devices inside 18 borough vehicles to monitor locations and maintain mechanical records.
Borough Manager Ray McCutcheon said these GPS (global positioning system) devices will enable him and Police Chief Ron Denbow to monitor the whereabouts of the borough's fleet at any given time. McCutcheon said a virtual fence can be created to alert them when a car leaves Coraopolis as well as to verify street cleaning and snow removal.
Chief Denbow added it can also be used to locate a vehicle if stolen.
“We were very impressed with all the capabilities it had, it's very detailed,” he said.
Allied Communications, of Gibsonia, was awarded the three-year contract at a cost of $18 per month per vehicle. The borough's nine police vehicles, three plow trucks, public works trucks and street sweeper will have a GPS hardwired under the dash.
In addition to tracking locations, the GPS devices will keep records of each vehicle's tire rotation, oil changes and mechanical information.
Council voted unanimously to approve the purchase, with councilman Chad Kraynyk abstaining because of his work with Verizon, a company that may benefit from this purchase. Councilman Rob Cardimen was absent.
The GPS units will be installed later this month.
– Story compiled by Dianne Stuckman