Setcom Says

Retired Austin police lieutenant and street’s namesake Alvin DeVane dies

Setcom Corporation sits at 3019 Alvin DeVane Blvd. Alvin DeVane was so proud of the South Austin street bearing his name that the retired Austin Police Department lieutenant had a book filled with photos of himself with friends, family and such Austin dignitaries as Darrell Royal standing underneath it.

“He loved it. He was still trying to figure out how to turn it into a toll road,” DeVane’s daughter Lisa Fisch joked Monday.

DeVane, a 26-year veteran of the department, died Sunday. He was 88. DeVane was described by friends and family as a friendly, well-respected officer who saw himself as a representative of Austin. After retiring in 1983, he stayed active as an amateur radio operator and barbershop singer.

DeVane enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943. Stationed at Bergstrom Field in Austin, he met his wife, Antoinette, at a USO dance in June 1944; they were married that September, Fisch said.

DeVane joined the Police Department in 1957. Daughter Teresa Crail said she thinks he signed up because he wanted to be around people and protect them.

DeVane had a wide, varied career, patrolling on foot and on a motorcycle. He later supervised the traffic unit, which put him in charge of security for presidents and other visiting officials.

“Everyone will tell you he’s the nicest guy in the world, and a good policeman,” said Con Keirsey, a retired police captain who served with DeVane in the 1960s.

Fisch said that when her father retired, she wanted to get a street named after him as a gift. Getting an existing street changed proved to be a red tape nightmare, she said, so she found a developer who would name a new street after him in South Austin.

Fisch said the city approved the name in 1984 even though DeVane was still alive — an unusual move. She said it was because he was injured in the line of duty in the 1960s .

Alvin DeVane Boulevard sits between Ben White Boulevard and U.S. 290.

Former Austin Mayor Carole Keeton Strayhorn said he was dedicated to protecting people and making them feel good.

“He was Austin’s finest at its finest,” she said.

DeVane’s wife died in late November. He is survived by four children and seven grandchildren.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Louis Catholic Church on Burnet Road.

As originally reported by statesman.com - www.statesman.com/news/local/retired-austin-police-lieutenant-and-streets-namesake-alvin-2075669.html

“Well-Dressed” Motor Officer Contest

Setcom is participating in POLICE magazine’s “Well-Dressed” Motor Officer Contest. The contest features equipment and motorcycle gear specialized for police motorcycle officers and is open for entries until the end of November. Setcom’s new low-profile half-shell helmet kit is a prize in the giveaway.

The helmet kit features a noise-canceling microphone that dramatically reduces background noise to increase the clarity of the officer’s communication and improve safety. It also has a unique snap-on technique for attaching to the helmet that makes it very easy to install.

With nearly $3,000 in Motor Officer gear, what are you waiting for? Enter today!

Chesapeake Bay Police Motorcycle Competition

We would like to invite you to be a part of the 7th Annual Chesapeake Bay Police Motorcycle Skills & Training Competition, October 13-15, 2011 in the parking lot at Wal-Mart located on Rt. 17, 1094 Frederick Boulevard in Portsmouth Virginia.

The Portsmouth Police Department, in coordination with other Hampton Roads Police Agencies, is proud to be hosting this competition. This annual event provides an opportunity for police motorcycle riders from the Eastern United States, to improve their motor riding skills, exchange new training ideas, as well as give back to their community. Best of all, it benefits the March of Dimes.

All proceeds from the rider application fee, fund raising, sponsorship and all donations, benefit the March of Dimes. Since the inaugural event in 2005 we have raised $52,000.00 for the March of Dimes! This event is free to the public.

Redding Police Department Motorcycle Competition

5^th Annual Redding Police Dept. Motor Competition held in conjunction with Big Bike Weekend (Oct 7-8, 2011).  Registration fee is $35 and includes Motor Competition and BBW event-shirts, pin, Friday dinner and lunch on Friday and Saturday.  All motors included in the hour long Remembrance Ride.  Practice on Friday is at 0900.  Host hotel is Red Lion with discounted rates of $79 for two queens or deluxe king.  Competitors entitled to all BBW VIP registration benefits including drawings and prizes (visit www.BigBikeWeekend.com for event and motor competition details). 

More information, please contact Sgt. Casey Bokavich at (530) 245-7109 or Officer Mike Woods at (530) 225-4230.

Bikes on the Bricks: Flint Police Annual Motorcycle Skills Competition

Bikes on the bricks is a free three day training event for Motor Officers in Michigan, Canada and surrounding states. This event also includes a bike show for the public. Our event draws thousands of spectators who are able to watch as Officers train. Contact Sgt. Richard Besson if interested in attending. Class size limited to 80 Officers - rbesson@cityofflint.com

http://www.bikesonthebricks.com

http://www.facebook.com/bikesonthebricks

Folsom Police Motorcycle Skills Challenge

The Folsom Police Motor Officer’s Association will be hosting a Police Motorcycle Skills Challenge on August 27th, 2011.  Participation is limited to Law Enforcement Officers, however viewing is open to the public.  We will be hosting the event at Intel, 1900 Prairie City Road, Folsom CA.  We are hoping this will be a unique challenge, with several different events.  The Main Event will be a bracketed double elimination tournament where riders will be racing heads-up on side by side courses. We will also have a Skills Event, a Slow Ride Challenge, and a Team Challenge.

In conjunction with this event, there will be a Bicycle Rodeo for Children as well as K-9, S.W.A.T. and Mounted Patrol demos.  Practice will be held on August 26th for competitors only from 0800 hours until 1630 hours, and the Challenge will begin Saturday August 27th at 0830 hours.  The course will be open for practice for the competitors on Saturday from 0700 hours until 0800 hours.  Please contact Officer Paul Rice at price@folsom.ca.us with any questions regarding the event or get further information at www.fmoa.shutterfly.com/motorchallenge

South East Police Motorcycle Rodeo - April 9, 2011, 8am – 4pm

Linda Brown
954.288.7201
LindaBrownEvents@aol.com

The committee is hosting the 2011 police motorcycle skills rodeo on April 9, 2011.  Local and out-of-state competitors will rev up their engines and maneuver through variouscourses, participating at this police motorcycle safety Competition.  The purpose of this event is for the motorcycle officers to become more proficient and safe while working as law enforcement officers on a motorcycle.

This year’s event, presented by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and the Seminole Tribe of Florida will run at a new location - The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL.  The motorcycle rodeo competition will take place at the South Lot of the Casino, on US 441, between Griffin & Stirling Roads. The competing motorcycle officers hail from agencies throughout South Florida and the US East Coast.  2010 participants included motorcycle units from the Seminole PD, the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Lauderdale PD, the Coral Springs PD, the Boca Raton PD and the Miami-Dade County PD. Out-of-area teams, as far away as Redding California, are expected at this year’s event.  Approximately 150 riders will compete from over 20 agencies.

“This is a fantastic event for the local community and the participating law enforcement officers, their families and friends,” boasts Don Solinger, President of the South East Police Motorcycle Rodeo. “A committee of motorcycle officers has designed a course that is not only difficult but fun. This year’s event will challenge the participants to be safer while performing duties as a police motorcycle officer, all while raising money for our charity.”

The event raises money for the charity C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors).  C.O.P.S. is an organization dedicated to helping children and families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty.  Over $43,000 was raised to support C.O.P.S.  Several other charities benefitted from the rodeo proceeds as well, including MDA, Broward Children’s Center and Embrace Life Children’s Foundation.

A Silent Auction will be showcased during the event, which is also open to the public.  Another event highlight will be a raffle for a 2010 Harley-Davidson Sportser 883 Motorcycle with trailer.  The motorcycle was donated by BruceRossmeyer Harley Davidson. Raffle tickets can be purchased during the rodeo for only $1 per ticket (or 25 for $20).  A variety of food booths, sponsor and trade booths, a Kids Zone and a multitude of activities will be available for the general public to enjoy, while watching the law enforcement officers compete.

In addition to the event Title Sponsors, The Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, other 2011 sponsors include: Harley-Davidson, Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge/Ram/Subaru of North Broward, Seminole Paradise Shops, Moe’s Southwest Grill, GeicoLocal Office, Amerigas, Gold Coast Beverages, Pepsi Beverages Company, The Cahalin Family Foundation, The Aero Toy Store, Miami Subs Grill, Papa John’s Pizza, Big 105.9 Radio, Mobile Mike, Star & Shield Insurance, John Knox Village, Coventry Health Care of Florida and Setcom.   Sponsorship opportunities are still available.  Call 954.288.7201, for further information.

NYC Metro Motorcycle Skills Competition: Motorcycle Competition with a More-the-Merrier Twist

Gerard Fiordalisi
President

Until 2009 motor officers hosted the only motor skills competitions.  That’s when we started, for the first time in the United States, a competition that combined police (including retired officers) and civilians.  It was a huge success.  We welcome police departments and civilians from all over the country.

Join us September 15-17, 2012 for this unique motor competition.  You can learn more about this competition at the NYC Metro Skills website.

Roseville Police & Fire Community Safety Day

By Sgt. Marc Gynn

Please join us in Roseville, CA on May 21, 2011 for our inaugural Roseville Police and Fire Community Safety Day.

The focus of the event will be a police motorcycle skills training and competition, which is limited to the first 50 riders.

All competitors and a guest of their choice will be treated to a banquet at Il Fornaio Restaurant at the Galleria Mall.

At the event we will have a police and fire display area and an interactive kids area for the entire family to enjoy.

Please visit our event website at http://www.communitysafetyday.com/ for more details.

Setcom Redefines the Half Shell Helmet Kit

Austin, Texas, February 16, 2011 - Setcom™  Corporation, an industry leader in communications systems, headsets, and accessories for police motorcycles, continues its innovation of products for a market it pioneered 41 years ago with the introduction of an enhanced version of its half shell helmet kit for motorcycle officers.

The helmet kit is available in single or dual ear options with speakers that are specifically engineered for clear audio at highway speeds in an open ear environment. Setcom designed this helmet kit with a noise-canceling microphone that dramatically reduces background noise to increase the clarity of the officer’s communications.

The helmet kit is compatible with most half shell helmets and provides the option for the officer to snap it onto pre-installed strap snaps or snap into Setcom’s custom slide up module for easy installation in helmets without snaps.  It is engineered with a light-weight, UV rated plastic to increase durability and comfort for motor officers. Compatible helmets include Super Seer, Shoei, and Bell half shell helmets.

In addition to being backward compatible with all Setcom systems, the helmet kit is designed for easy repair, which makes it practical and affordable.

“The helmet kit enables motor officers to communicate clearly which improves safety,” said James Roberts, President of Setcom.  “Our customers are excited about the helmet kit’s comfort, quality, and low profile. In addition, it is fully compatible with our Liberator™ line of wireless headset systems.”

Setcom invented the first police motorcycle communications kit, the ComKit, in 1970 and has since remained a leader in the field for its ability to work with police motor officers to develop the kind of innovative, tailor-made products on which they depend.

High Resolution Photo

For more information, visit www.Setcomcorp.com/helmetkit.html or call (650) 965-8020.