Mahoning County has implemented a new 911 dispatch system aimed at cutting costs and improving efficiency.
Until recently, each community in Mahoning County conducted its own dispatching of 911 calls. Now, however, almost every community’s police force as well as the county sheriff’s department are having their emergency calls routed through either Austintown or Boardman dispatch centers.
In addition to dividing the 14 Mahoning County dispatchers, formally scattered throughout the county, between Austintown and Boardman, equipment in the county was updated as well. According to Jack Nichols, the chief of police in Boardman, the city has new radios capable of using 16 frequencies.
Since at least one of the four radio towers, strategically placed across the county, is always accessible, police can talk to each other directly. Previously they had to use a cell phone or be patched through by a dispatcher.
Obviously providing a reliable way for police to communicate with each other and consolidating the county’s 911 call system will improves every facet of law enforcement in Mahoning County.
However, it is always wise to ensure that local taxpayers are fully aware of these advantages. Brochures explaining the benefits of these improvements placed in prominent public places is one way of accomplishing this, and hopefully it will pave the way for the long sought after ability to text 911.Get a Free Quote for Brochures
