Harnessing technology to modernize the way public safety agencies interact and communicate with their citizens is the hallmark of the legislative proposal in House Bills 4661 and 4662.

The legislation, introduced by Reps. Curtis VanderWall and Jason Morgon, would create a grant program aimed at enhancing communication, accountability, transparency, and information sharing between public safety agencies and the communities they serve.

“Ensuring that this technology is available statewide, provides two distinct benefits,” Morgan said. “First, the individual contacting the public safety agency, usually through a 9-1-1 call, will be kept informed of the status of their incident. Second, the survey data can be evaluated and used by the public safety agency to improve community interaction.”

VanderWall added: “We need to harness this important technology to improve policing practices, facilitate positive community engagement, and enhance crime victims’ rights. That is why this package also allows this technology to be used for notifications required under the William Van Regenmorter Crime Victim’s Rights Act.”

The grant program would be administered by the Office of the Michigan Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS) within the Department of Technology, Management & Budget. MPSCS is Michigan’s own communications powerhouse that provides statewide public safety radio communications for local, state, federal, tribal and private agencies.

The MPSCS will provide grants to state and local agencies and officials, law enforcement agencies, and local units of government that comply with the standards and procedures prescribed in the legislation.

Using technological advances now widely available, messages to crime victims and other individuals who interact with a public safety agency can be automated and tailored to each situation. Important case updates and other relevant information can be shared in a timely manner improving community satisfaction and fostering a favorable relationship between a public safety agency and the community that it serves. Continuity, efficiency, and consistency throughout the crime victim’s or individual’s interaction with the public safety agency and, if relevant, the criminal justice system, are the goals of this legislative proposal.

While available in some Michigan jurisdictions, these bills will quickly expand the integration of this technology statewide. A pilot of this communication technology at the Marshall Michigan State Police Post was invaluable to the MSP Officers and the communities they served in Calhoun, St. Joseph, and Barry Counties. Calhoun County launched a pilot in 2023, and the City of Battle Creek has been utilizing this technology since 2022.

This technology serves as a workforce multiplier by automating the citizen engagement process to save time and reduce costs. The technology also provides a robust survey tool that allows public safety agencies to benchmark community perception. This survey data can be used to improve services, track initiatives, and improve performance.