MOUNT VERNON — The 9-1-1 Planning Committee tabled the vote that will decide whether or not to move forward with the 9-1-1 consolidation plan after a public hearing on Tuesday where a wide range of opinions and concerns, as well as support, were shared.
The motion was made by committee member Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis in an effort to gather answers to questions that were raised prior to and during Tuesday’s hearing.
“I don’t think that I did a very good job of selling it to my (police) chief back there and my chief of fire also, exactly what we will do in the technical aspect of a relocation. How will we handle the people who call and want to know when the fireworks are going to be, when Halloween is going to be, who do I call when a dog is barking ... or if I need to see an officer? I think those things can be worked out. I think we can survive with a single center. I think logistically Rick (Dzik) has some things to work out.”
Richard Dzik, 9-1-1 coordinator, has been tasked with writing up solutions to concerns that have been raised by law enforcement and dispatchers regarding their duties. Some areas include acceptance of bond, whether or not dispatchers should be required to pat down female inmates at the jail, assisting people that come to the police station or sheriff’s office, data entry of traffic citations and warrants, and several other items. Dzik said he will talk with other agencies who went through the consolidation process to assist with new protocols.
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