Punta Gorda council votes to keep 911 dispatch local

Reporter: Zoe Warner
Published: Updated:
Police Punta Gorda
Credit: WINK News

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office proposed combining Charlotte County and Punta Gorda’s dispatchers to fill county gaps.

However, Punta Gorda residents voiced strong opposition to this plan.

Sheriff Bill Prummell suggested the consolidation at a recent city council meeting as a way to streamline services.

Melissa Reichert, interim city manager, said, “We heard today in the public comment how much they appreciate local dispatch. The fact that they know the landmarks in the community, that they are getting the right teams dispatched to the correct emergency, and then the care that our fire and police take of the residents once they are on those scenes; it was overwhelming support from the community that they want to see their dispatch stay local.”

In the end, the city council voted against the proposal, opting to keep the local dispatch separate from the county.

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