New Communications Tower Enhances Radio Coverage

To improve public safety in St. John the Baptist Parish, Sheriff Mike Tregre is proud to announce the completion of a radio communications tower, greatly enhancing 911 communications radio coverage in the community.
On February 19, 2020, a ribbon cutting of the new tower, a 460-foot tall, three-point structure constructed on SJSO property behind its Patrol Headquarters in LaPlace. Chief Steve Guidry and Lt. Conrad Baker spearheaded the project for the SJSO.
During Hurricane Isaac, radio communication between first responders was extremely difficult, Sheriff Mike Tregre said. This partnership between the sheriff’s office and parish to erect a new tower greatly improves communication and safety especially during emergencies, he said.
Construction of the new tower, costing $990,000, began in October 2019 after the SJSO was chosen the recipient of a $562,000 Port of Louisiana security grant from FEMA. The remaining balance of $428,000 is covered through 911 Communications funds.
The tower, built by Daley Tower of Lafayette, allows for clear, concise radio communications with three different backup systems for first responders including the sheriff’s office, local fire departments, and parish government. It also provides auxiliary capability for emergency operations centers throughout south Louisiana to communicate directly with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management in Baton Rouge during emergencies, such as hurricanes, when cellular and fiber communications are lost. The costs of cellular and cable connections for the crime camera network also are eliminated since the new tower does not require these connections.
In addition, this new tower allows officials to simulcast with our other tower site on the Marathon Petroleum LX site in Mt. Airy to eliminate the ‘dead zones’ in the parish.
Joining Sheriff Tregre for the ribbon cutting were elected officials U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, who was instrumental in assisting the parish in obtaining the port security grant for the project, State Rep. Greg Miller, State Sen. Gary Smith, and Parish President Jaclyn Hotard.
Also on hand were several officers with the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office; Parish Administrative, Public Safety and Fire staff as well as council members Tammy Houston and Lennix Madere; Joey Murray and Mike Tabb of Murray Architects, who designed the building for the tower equipment; and Jason Vance, Lance Cooper and Lloyd Armstrong of Bearcom Destrehan.
Also recognized during the ceremony were Luke Guillory , Kody Vicknair and Barry Firmin of Reserve Telecommunications; Dane Rouchon of Daley Tower; and Chuck Cassard of the Ascension Parish Sheriff Office.