Dormont Public Safety Committee Mulls Interpreter Service

When two Spanish speaking people were arrested in earlier this year, borough police had to bring in an interpreter because no officer spoke the language.

The situation highlighted the potential need for some sort of interpretation service — not just for Spanish, but for dealing with anyone who may not be fluent in English.

On Monday, the public safety committee listened to a presentation by DT Interpreting of Carnegie.

The company, which started out serving the hearing impaired a decade ago, is expanding its language translation services to police departments, said Thomas Stauffer, an account executive.

Because the company is looking to expand, Stauffer said he would offer the borough a flat rate of $1.59 a minute for translation services, with no start up or equiptment fees.

The company has a pool of translators around the country who speak English as a second language, he explained.

It works this way: An officer calls the company's phone number, either on a cell phone in the field — or if they choose, on a two-handset telephone the company supplies. After the officer enters in a client code, he or she can ask for the appropriate translator.

"In 19 seconds, I could have had the same Spanish speaking interpreter right there," Stauffer said, rather than waiting for an interpreter to be brought in.

Stauffer said the company already serves police in Mount Lebanon, Upper St. Clair, Moon and Canonsburg. It also serves more than 350 hospitals throughout the country with videophones.

After the company gets about 50 police departments on board, Stauffer said, its prices will increase.

The full council would have to consider the offer at a later date.