Through the Department of Justice COPS Law Enforcement Technology Account. Federal funds are needed to purchase 100 mobile and 100 handheld 800 MHz radios. The State of North Carolina has developed a VIPER (voice interoperability) system that connects law enforcement agencies statewide using 800 MHz towers and radios. The radio towers have been installed in every county in the state. Union County will be operating on the 800 MHz frequency by early 2010. The Monroe Police Department needs federal assistance to purchase interoperable radios to communicate with other county, state, and federal first responders. It is imperative to have interoperable radios to communicate with other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and other first responders. Without this interoperability, it is impossible to communicate with these agencies when a multijurisdictional event occurs.