Wasilla opens dispatch center

WASILLA -- The city of Wasilla recently received a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to establish a Consolidated Dispatch Center to handle emergency services in the Valley. This grant augments the $1 million the city has already received from the government for the same purpose, and will permit the city to outfit the center with new computerized technology and boost police response efficiency with new equipment.

Wasilla Mayor Dianne M. Keller said, "The recent grant award comes as a result of efforts by the Alaska U.S. congressional delegation that will substantially provide for the equipment and infrastructure needs for a modern and efficient communication and dispatch center."

According to Wasilla Chief of Police Don Savage, police departments around the nation that have adopted computerized dispatch technology have seen up to a 65 percent increase in efficiency. Savage said the Wasilla center has already increased its efficiency by 50 percent owing to the measures it has thus far taken.

The current dispatch system employed by the center involves writing down emergency calls received by hand using pen and paper. Savage said this system has been in place at least since the 1990s, and the Department of Justice grant arrived at the tail end of years of negotiation over upgrading the dispatch center.

Savage believes the upgrade is long overdue; indeed, even with the new technology, Wasilla is not on the cutting edge of law enforcement technology. "What we're advocating is not brand-new technology," Savage said. "It's been around for 25 years."

One of the features to be implemented with the arrival of the new system is an online police log, with information on which calls were handled by the center at what time. This will streamline the police department's interactions with both the press and the public, as well as cutting down on paperwork.

After receiving the grant, the city contacted more than 60 security technology companies in order to select one that would eventually provide the hardware to update the center. Over time, the list of possible providers was narrowed down to roughly a dozen, three or four of which will come to Wasilla and present on-site demonstrations of their hardware in late April. Charlie Fannon, communications officer for the city, believes the choice must be made with care. "We want a technology solution that is user-friendly; otherwise it couldn't be utilized," he said.

In addition, the Wasilla City Council will be holding several public hearings over the next few months to determine the best way to enable the upgraded center to serve the community. "We've tried to involve all of the community agencies [in the planning process]," Fannon said.

The whole process, including selection, purchasing, installation and training, should be completed by the end of the summer.

Savage still hopes to obtain additional money for wireless field reporting equipment, which would place portable computers in patrol cars so officers can access warrant and legal information instantly.

Previous to Jan. 2, Wasilla's police dispatch was administered through the Palmer Police Dispatch center. However, in 2004, Wasilla took charge of its own dispatch, with occasional support afforded by Palmer, owing to equipment difficulties.

Though the new technology will doubtless be of benefit to Wasilla's police department, not everyone is happy about the city's recent financial successes. Accusations are flying that Wasilla slighted its neighbor cities by using the money solely on its own facility. The Palmer Police Department has been particularly vocal in its opposition to the upgrade.

"They only informed everyone when they had the grant virtually in the bag," said George Boatright, Palmer's police chief, who believes the money could have been put to a more Valley-oriented than Wasilla-oriented use. But there is more at stake here than simple hurt feelings. Many emergency personnel in the Valley believe Wasilla ignored tentative plans for a more regional dispatch center when applying for the grant.

Though the original plan for the upgrade was to construct a centrally located, jointly operated facility that would manage police, fire and emergency medical services for the entire Valley, only the city of Wasilla was awarded the Department of Justice grant, so the upgrades are being performed in its own police department office. Therefore, though the dispatch center is open to cooperation from other emergency branches in the area, these branches have been reluctant to get on board with the project.

Currently, only Wasilla Police Department dispatches are being handled at the center.

Savage said he regrets that his fellow organizations won't cooperate, but admits that the choice is theirs in the end. "They certainly have the wherewithal to make their own decisions," he said.

Contact Daniel Spoth at daniel.spoth@frontiersman.com.