San Benito County supervisors have taken the first step toward
potentially contracting with Santa Cruz County for 911 emergency
response services. Supervisors this week approved the use of
$10,000 to study the feasibility and possible cost savings with
such a move.
San Benito County supervisors have taken the first step toward potentially contracting with Santa Cruz County for 911 emergency response services.
Supervisors this week approved the use of $10,000 to study the feasibility and possible cost savings with such a move.
The San Benito County Communications Division, under the sheriff’s office, has an annual budget of about $1.6 million. Taking into account service charges billed to local cities – totaling about $1 million – the net county cost has been around $600,000 each year, according to budget figures.
From the supervisors’ perspective, the move is about trying to save money in hard budget times, as the county this fiscal year faces a $9 million deficit. Dispatchers in the local Service Employees International Union criticized the idea and contended it would raise safety concerns because Santa Cruz County 911 employees are not as familiar with the area.
“A dispatcher from Santa Cruz County doesn’t know our community like the current dispatchers,” said Jodi Ortega, whose position is communications dispatcher II, in a press statement.
Supervisor Anthony Botelho, though, said officials are trying to look for “alternatives to provide services at a lower cost.”
“We certainly have a responsibility of maintaining a high level of service, and this could be a substantial cost savings,” said Botelho, who represents the San Juan area.
Botelho said county officials have been looking at the idea for a “few months.” He clarified that the study has no relation to the recent incident near Bolado Park.
On Sept. 4, a group visiting the area reported being held at gunpoint by outlaw bikers. After a woman in the group reported the incident, the dispatcher who passed on the information to a sheriff’s sergeant called her story “super sketch.” Despite her asking at least seven times for a response, the sheriff’s office neglected to immediately send deputies to the area.
Look for the full story in the Free Lance on Tuesday.
