Supporters Circulate 'Save Our Dispatch & Parks Department' Petition

“The biggest problem is, they want to do this October first,” Communications Officer Frank Wheelehan said.

“It’s my job, but that's the least of my worries, we’ve lived in the city 28 years," Communications Officer Francine Whitten said. 

For nearly two hours, two Communications Officers, the Police Services Supervisor and Network Administrator answered residents questions and explained why they think the Gulfport City Council should not outsource the Gulfport Police Department's dispatch center to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Those who wanted to, added their name to the petition "Save Our Dispatch & Parks Department."

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During an emotional and packed city council meeting on August 16, the City Council decided to move forward with outsourcing the dispatch center to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

If the city were to outsource the  it would save the city about $200,000 in the first year and about $270,000 once the maintenance and equipment is in place for dispatch services through the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

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Given the outcome of the last City Council regular meeting, supporters are moving forward to save their dispatch.

Communications Officer Frank Wheelehan is fighting to keep public safety as it is in the City. He's concerned about response times changing, county dispatchers being unfamiliar with locations in the city and the relationship between the dispatchers and the officers.

“If an officer comes over the radio and his voice is a little different, I know something’s wrong, they won’t,” Wheelehan said.

"Our operational efficiency is going to drop," he said.

"I think that . . . we do a lot of things in our dispatch department, that you may not dupicate with the sheriffs office,” Police Services Supervisor James Beane said.

Wheelehan and Beane explained how calls are being handled now and how they would be handled if outsourced to the county.

Call 893-1030 Now

• A dispatcher answers the phone
• A dispatcher prioritizes your call and sends an officer if needed

Call 893-1020 If dispatch is outsourced

• You will reach an automated menu 
• After you select an option, reach a call taker, who will take your information
• The call taker informs the dispatcher of the emergency
• Dispatcher sends an officer if needed

If the dispatch is outsourced, the person calling for help will never talk directly to a dispatcher, according to Wheelehan.

"We are immediately on the line, talking to you," Wheelehan said.

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Jobs at stake 

• Communications Officer Frank Wheelehan
• Communications Officer Francine Whitten
• Communications officer LaKeisha Issac
• Communications Officer Clint Meyer
• City of Gulfport Network Administrator Richard Citta

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Network Administrator Richard Citta expressed a lot of concern over the computer system switch from what the department operates on now and what they would need to comply with the Sheriff Office's standards. 

"The police dept has it’s own computer network . . . it’s very sophisticated, what this means is, (the City's proposal) their proposal, all that would have to be moved, it would go away,” Citta said.

“They will now be totally dependent on sheriff’s offices services, how much is that going to cost?” Citta said.

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Supporters spoke up about their concerns and disappointment in some of our city leaders.

“The city’s not even trying . . . they’re not trying to make the money to run the city,” David J. Hastings said.

“If you don’t get out and say what you want to say . . .  Sam Henderson had it right, that reserve is not our money, it’s the citizens money,” Philip Reed said.

“How are we supposed to believe them, (when they say) that they’re not going to get rid of the police department,” Reed said.

“I’ve raised 9 children in this community and I’m not about to give up something that we’ve worked so hard for,” Reed added.

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Petition

During the meeting, organizers sent our a "Save Our Dispatch & Parks Department" petition. If anyone is interested in adding their name to the list contact Ernie Stone at 727-278-9277 or Jeri Reed at 727-327-3509 evenings or at jrvolunteer@aol.com. 

Facebook Page

They've also started a "Save Our Dispatch" Facebook page, feel free to "like" them. 

Upcoming City Meetings

Public hearings are set for Thursday, September 8 and Wednesday September 21, 2011 at 7 p.m. at Gulfport City Hall.