Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: September 21, 2006

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Kacee Hargrave, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tower comes down

It has survived lightning strikes and a 1977 tornado, but an old radio tower cannot withstand a large crane that began dismantling it today.

The former UHF police radio system tower is being dismantled today, since it is no longer needed. The tower was erected in April of 1974 as part of of $1.5 million two-way radio and CAD system package. In its many years of use, it served as the sole support structure for SPD's base/repeater antennaes. With the switchover to the 800 MHz radio trunking system a few years back, the tower has not been needed. It has hovered over SPD headquarters for about 32 years.

The tower has sentimental value to SPD employee Henry Cudo, who oversaw its construction in the 70s and is now helping to get it demolished today.

-spd-

View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews