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Congressman Bishop makes ceremonial first radio call on new system he made possible

October 26, 2022
Congressman Sanford Bishop took time off the campaign trail Thursday to stop by Pelham City Hall to place the ceremonial first E911 call on the city's new radio system, which was purchased with federal funds Bishop helped obtain for Pelham.

According to Pelham city manager Christian Drake, the need to upgrade the city's public safety radio system has been an issue for approximately five years.

"We were previously using the VHF radio system while other agencies in Mitchell County and the region have transitioned to the 800 MHz system. We were practically in a dead zone for communication with other public safety entities with this old system," Drake said.

The Pelham city manager said that thanks to the money Congressman Bishop was able to have appropriated for Pelham, the city has purchased the state-of-the-art 800 MHz system and there are no longer delays in communications within the city or with other agencies.

Prior to the installation of the radio upgrade, the city faced challenges reporting incidents and emergencies to other agencies such as the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office and the Camilla Police Department in real time.

"Congressman Bishop spearheaded the effort to appropriate $225,000 for the radio system upgrade and the citizens of Pelham did not have to spend a dime. South Georgia is often forgotten, but Congressman Bishop made sure that we were taken care of," Drake added.

Congressman Bishop on Thursday said, "I've always been a champion for law enforcement and first responders, and I am pleased to know that being on the House Committee on Appropriations, funding was available for a project such as this."

"All of this came about through Congressman Bishop. He has always come through for the needs of Mitchell County," commented Mitchell County Sheriff W.E. Bozeman.