The Alpena County Central Dispatch Union would like to express our apprehension for the discussion of proposed cuts to the Alpena County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff and his department have worked diligently over the last several years to build their staffing to a level where they are able to provide the essential services the citizens of Alpena County deserve.

Alpena Central Dispatch is in a very small minority of 911 centers across the country that are both fully staffed and possess current phone, radio, and computer technology that assists tremendously in expeditious call taking and dispatching of emergency services, along with support for those callers prior to the arrival of help. The employees of Central Dispatch are very proud to serve the community and are grateful the department is funded by the 911 phone surcharge so we can provide the best service possible without impacting the county’s general fund.

However, our ability to help people in need in a timely manner is directly proportionate to our resources available.

There has been a period of time in the recent past where there wasn’t 24-hour road patrol for the Sheriff’s Office. This may leave at times only a single Michigan State Police car manned by two troopers to cover the entirety of Alpena County as well as assist the other four counties in our post coverage area. This greatly impacts Alpena County Central Dispatch’s ability to appropriately serve the citizens in which we are entrusted with.

We are all too familiar with the financial difficulties which our county as well as many others face, but we implore the commissioners to look at alternatives to making cuts to the Sheriff’s Office and their staff without adversely affecting the public safety of the citizens of Alpena County.

ALPENA COUNTY CENTRAL DISPATCH UNION