Dispatcher layoffs raise safety concerns

Recent layoffs imposed on the Kings County Sheriff's Office will now require multiple public safety organizations to communicate over a single dispatch line, rather than the two they've used in the past. The Sheriff's Office says they will only be able to operate the "secondary law channel" on a temporary basis, meaning the Sheriff's Office, Probation Department, Animal Control, District Attorney's Office, Human Services and the Ag Commissioner will all have to share the primary line.

"These channels have to be manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year," Assistant Sheriff Brian Wheat said. "Given the current staffing level, this the best option we have. It's not perfect, but it's the best we can do."

Chief Probation Officer Steve Brum said there is potential for officer safety to be put in danger by this move, but that they would "just have to make do."

"We're in a budget situation where we all have to deal with things like this," Brum said.

A memo issued by the Sheriff's Office on Wednesday says the secondary channel will only be open on a "limited basis depending on staffing level."

The Sheriff's Office is hoping that the new computer system being implemented county-wide will help reduce some dispatch traffic.

County Supervisor Richard Valle says this is a move that could jeopardize public safety.

"What if there comes a time when someone calls 911 and it doesn't get picked up?" Valle said. "These dispatchers are on the front line of public safety. These are people sitting in a little room, answering phone calls every three minutes, checking on officers to make sure they are all right, sending out backup and doing all this while working 12 hour shifts. I don't think their work is appreciated enough."

The reporter can be reached at 583-2425.

(July 4, 2009)