Union County Considers Urgent Shift of Dispatch Services
UPDATE: Urgent discussions are underway to potentially shift dispatch services from the city of Creston to Union County. Union County Sheriff Brian Bolton proposed this significant change during a meeting with the board of supervisors on Wednesday, aiming to improve dispatch efficiency and staffing challenges.
Currently, dispatch services are managed through Creston’s law enforcement center, which has limited hiring capabilities for full-time dispatchers. Sheriff Bolton highlighted the struggles of covering shifts, stating, “Not having the ability to hire part-timers has put them, it’s been hard to fill those gaps.” This change could streamline operations, allowing for greater flexibility between jailers and dispatchers.
The proposed transition is gaining traction, with both Creston Police Chief Paul Ver Meer and Mayor Waylon Clayton supporting the move. Bolton emphasized that the switch is not about merging roles but about leveraging the county’s resources more effectively. “We don’t want all jailers to be dispatchers. We don’t want all dispatchers to be jailers. That will not work and people will leave,” he stated.
The board of supervisors expressed cautious optimism, with Supervisor Dennis Hopkins indicating support if the switch results in cost savings for the city or law enforcement. The financial implications, particularly regarding benefits for city employees transitioning to county roles, remain a key concern. Bolton noted that these discussions are ongoing and will require further collaboration with the city council and law enforcement.
Bolton also pointed out that the majority of dispatch calls are medical, prompting a need to coordinate with Greater Regional Health to ensure service continuity during this potential transition. The initial discussions have been characterized as exploratory, with no decisions made yet.
As Union County prepares for a public hearing on its decommissioning plan for windmills on August 20, the focus now shifts to ensuring that all stakeholders are on board with the proposed dispatch transition. This move could relieve the heavy workloads currently faced by dispatchers while maintaining a commitment to effective service for the residents of Union County.
Stay tuned for updates as this situation develops, and see how this potential change may impact local law enforcement and emergency response services.
