Police radio problems fixed at new Ohio courthouse

COLUMBUS (AP) — Some of the communication “dead zones” that were keeping the new county courthouse here from opening appear to be fixed.

The $105 million Franklin County Common Pleas Courthouse had poor police radio reception in areas where it was needed, including holding cells. Officials wanted to open the facility in January but dealt with the communication problems first.

The Columbus Dispatch reports workers have installed a nearly $480,000 system to improve police radio reception.

Deputy County Administrator William Flaherty tells the newspaper that tests on Tuesday showed the new system is working and no dead spots were found.

Cell phone reception also has been a problem, but Flaherty says that won’t block the opening of the building. He says the county is negotiating with cell phone carriers about improvements.