Police discovers radio problems in new Ill. casino
From the Chicago Daily Herald: Officials have discovered that emergency personnel were having communications problems the new $445 million Rivers Casino just outside of Chicago.
Des Plaines police didn’t test the radio system at the time of casino construction, said Deputy Police Chief Mike Kozak.
Officers noticed a problem while responding to the many service calls received from the casino almost daily.
After months of studying the issue, the city and Midwest Gaming & Entertainment officials have determined the radio equipment used by emergency personnel is not powerful enough to penetrate the steel walls of the casino.
Officials have come up with a roughly $49,000 fix that will involve installing upgraded telecommunications equipment — receivers, amplifiers and antennas — inside the casino so police and fire radios can work indoors.
Des Plaines is on the hook to pay half that sum after negotiating with casino representatives. Rivers Casino is responsible for future maintenance of the equipment.