The Pima County Wireless Integrated Network (PCWIN) stands as one of the region’s most essential yet often unseen public safety assets. Created in response to significant communication gaps revealed during a local tragedy—the 2011 shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords—PCWIN was envisioned as a unified, interoperable radio system that would allow law enforcement, fire departments, medical responders, and other agencies to communicate seamlessly during routine operations and critical incidents alike. Covering Pima County’s 9,200 square miles and serving what has grown from 32 to 57 partner agencies, the system represents a landmark achievement in regional collaboration, technological innovation, and long‑term planning.

At the center of PCWIN’s ongoing success is Director Robert “Bob” Meredith, whose diverse background uniquely prepared him for this role. After growing up in rural Kentucky, Meredith began his career in the U.S. Army during the Desert Storm era, specializing in communications and encryption. His military training launched a long trajectory in technology, leading him to Tucson by way of Fort Huachuca. Over the decades, Meredith built deep expertise in network infrastructure, telephone systems, and IT operations—experiences that positioned him perfectly when Pima County transitioned from legacy phone systems to emerging voice‑over‑IP technologies. His leadership in that effort, combined with his strong relationships across county departments, eventually led him to PCWIN.

Today, PCWIN operates through three primary divisions: administrative services, subscriber services, and infrastructure management. Together, these teams maintain thousands of radios, dozens of mountain‑top communication sites, and the complex network backbone that enables real‑time interoperability across the county. Their work, which is quiet, technical, and critically important, ensures that first responders can act quickly, safely, and collaboratively, regardless of the situation.

As technology evolves, so too does PCWIN. Advances like GPS-enabled radios, automated data lookups in the field, and the potential future integration of satellite-based communication are reshaping what responders can do and how efficiently they can operate. Meredith and his team are actively navigating these developments, ensuring that PCWIN remains at the forefront of public safety communications.

Behind the scenes, PCWIN also represents an exceptional model of interagency cooperation. Guided by a board of directors composed of member agencies and supported by an executive committee, the system continues to function not only because of its technical sophistication but because of the shared commitment of leaders across jurisdictions. Their willingness to come together with common goals has produced a system recognized nationally as a model for regional collaboration.

PCWIN’s story is one of innovation, coordination, and community commitment. Under Meredith’s leadership, the network remains a vital, ever‑evolving safeguard for Pima County residents and the first responders who serve them.

Welcome to this latest episode of Inside Pima County with Rex Scott. In this installment, we are joined by Constance Hargrove, Director of the Pima County Elections Department, for an in-depth and wide-ranging conversation about how elections are administered in one of Arizona’s largest counties. The discussion begins with Constance’s unexpected entry into the elections field—an opportunity that emerged when she was working at the Virginia Legislature and was invited to join the City of Richmond’s elections office. What started as an unfamiliar role grew into nearly two decades of experience, followed by time in seminary and later positions in Chesterfield County that ultimately led to her becoming Director of Elections for Pima County in 2022.

The conversation focuses on the structure of election responsibilities in Pima County, clarifying the distinct duties of the County Recorder’s Office—such as voter registration, list maintenance, and early ballot handling—and providing an overview of the Elections Department, which is responsible for ballot processing, vote center operations, election programming, equipment testing, and tabulation.

Constance provides a detailed look at how early ballots are processed, how damaged or unreadable ballots are duplicated, and how vote centers are identified, evaluated, and maintained across the county. She explains the intricacies of ballot-on-demand technology, electronic poll books, connectivity challenges in remote locations, and the extensive training, staffing, and coordination required for both permanent and temporary election workers. We also walk through the safeguards built into every election, including logic and accuracy testing, post-election audits, chain-of-custody procedures, and the creation of the official canvass. Constance outlines how each step ensures accuracy and transparency before results ever reach the Board of Supervisors for certification.

Finally, the discussion highlights recent improvements such as Pima County’s new election night reporting platform and the optional early ballot drop-off verification process. Constance also shares her enthusiasm for launching a voter academy in the coming years to further improve public understanding of elections.

Through this discussion, listeners gain a clear, accessible overview of the complex work required to run secure, accurate, and transparent elections in Pima County.

Welcome to the latest episode of Inside Pima County, where today’s conversation highlights one of the County’s most far-reaching and community-centered departments: Parks and Recreation. Joining in this conversation is Vic Pereira, the department’s director, whose path to this role is grounded in service, leadership, and a deep connection to the community he now helps shape.

Pereira’s journey to Pima County began with a distinguished 31-year career as an Air Force officer, culminating in his assignment as Deputy Commander at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. In that role, he was responsible for community engagement, forging relationships with civic leaders across Tucson. As he approached retirement, a family decision to remain in the area created an opportunity for a new chapter. That led Pereira, first, to the Health Department, where he served as Deputy Director, and later to Parks and Recreation, a position he assumed in 2022.

Today, Pereira oversees a department whose footprint stretches across Pima County’s 9,200 square miles, touching nearly every community and every age group. The Parks and Recreation Department is made-up of 42 urban parks, 12 community centers, nine pools, a shooting sports complex, a golf course, and the iconic Chuck Huckleberry Loop. But Pereira emphasizes that beyond the parks, pools, and programs, the department’s true strength lies in its people: the hundreds of dedicated professionals and seasonal staff who maintain facilities, teach children, support families, and often go above and beyond in moments that matter most.

In this episode, Pereira shares some stories of staff, outlines the departments newly completed master plan, discusses priorities for rural and fast-growing communities like Vail and Catalina, and offers a look at upcoming initiatives—from a countywide e-bike study to future accreditation. He also highlights beloved programs such as youth aquatics, adult fitness opportunities, seasonal community events, and the critical role of the Parklands Foundation in supporting Parks and Recreation.

Through the conversation, one theme stands out: Parks and Recreation is not only about infrastructure and amenities; it’s about enriching lives. Pereira’s leadership reflects that belief, and his team’s work demonstrates it daily. This episode offers a closer look at the department’s mission, its people, and its plans for a future that continues to serve Pima County residents with excellence, accessibility, and heart.