It all started with a red light: The Bay Village Police Department enters the digital age

(click photo to enlarge)

  • The Bay Village Police Department recently upgraded its communication system to the MARCS network, featuring digital technology. Photo by Mark Spaetzel

  • A close-up of the MARCS dispatch console at the Bay Village police station. Photo by Mark Spaetzel

  • A radio tower adjacent to the Bay Village police station transmits digital signals between dispatchers and officers, and can communicate with agencies across the state. Photo by Mark Spaetzel

  • A close-up of the MARCS base console in the dispatch center. Photo by Mark Spaetzel

  • A mobile MARCS radio in a patrol vehicle. Photo by Mark Spaetzel

  • A mobile MARCS radio in a patrol vehicle. Photo by Mark Spaetzel

  • A portable MARCS radio. Photo by Mark Spaetzel

  • This is a Lafayette Radio and Electronics Company model PF-200A VHF high and low band analog receiver.  Apparently being of late 1960s to early 1970s in vintage, this radio had been capable of receiving Bay Village and other Westshore suburbs' police communication until their migration to the State of Ohio Multi Agency Radio Communications System (MARCS).  While this radio performed its intended task in a decent manner it is totally useless in tuning-in today's high tech digital MARCS network. Photo by Dan Hirschfeld

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