SO Substation

[scooterbug44]

I was talking about administrative staff and a public information officer - though since many communities are making cutbacks due to budgetary shortfalls, a competent and experienced deputy should be easier to find as well.

 

[GoodWitch58]

reporting from the Walton Sun:

WCSO taking care of sub-station staffing | wcso, care, staffing - Local News - WaltonSun.com


FYI: after asking specifically yesterday if the 267-2000 number was still valid for reporting traffic problems, I found myself driving from PCB on Highway 98 behind a driver I thought to be reckless and dangerous. He(I was able to see that it was a male) was in a pickup and blew through the red light at Inlet Beach doing about 65 mph..then, he weaved and drifted onto the shoulder and into the other lane...I stayed far enough behind (as did other cars) to avoid a disaster. I called 267-2000 to report him. I got the receptionist, who after listening to what I wanted to report, said she would transfer me to "dispatch". A woman answered at "dispatch" without identifying herself, listened for a second or two, and asked me to hold...after a minute or longer, the phone disconnected.

So, I guess they are having their problems at the annex. I just hope that guy did not wreck and hurt someone on Highway 331, he blasted through the intersection at 331, still weaving......

 

[wrobert]

reporting from the Walton Sun:

WCSO taking care of sub-station staffing | wcso, care, staffing - Local News - WaltonSun.com


FYI: after asking specifically yesterday if the 267-2000 number was still valid for reporting traffic problems, I found myself driving from PCB on Highway 98 behind a driver I thought to be reckless and dangerous. He(I was able to see that it was a male) was in a pickup and blew through the red light at Inlet Beach doing about 65 mph..then, he weaved and drifted onto the shoulder and into the other lane...I stayed far enough behind (as did other cars) to avoid a disaster. I called 267-2000 to report him. I got the receptionist, who after listening to what I wanted to report, said she would transfer me to "dispatch". A woman answered at "dispatch" without identifying herself, listened for a second or two, and asked me to hold...after a minute or longer, the phone disconnected.

So, I guess they are having their problems at the annex. I just hope that guy did not wreck and hurt someone on Highway 331, he blasted through the intersection at 331, still weaving......

I always just dial 911 in these situations. I thought the State operated *FHP for reporting impaired drivers and traffic stuff in addition to the regular 911 system.

 

[GoodWitch58]

well, that's what I always thought too. But, I was told (by someone at the Annex) a couple of years ago that it did not work for Walton County, that the 267-2000 was quicker.

Apparently, now if we dial 911; it is answered by "dispatch" and still has to be forwarded to EOC...It is confusing, and none of it seems to get answered with any sense of urgency IMO.

and I really do wish that people in businesses or government offices would identify themselves as they answer a phone--no matter what office it is

 

[wrobert]

well, that's what I always thought too. But, I was told (by someone at the Annex) a couple of years ago that it did not work for Walton County, that the 267-2000 was quicker.

Apparently, now if we dial 911; it is answered by "dispatch" and still has to be forwarded to EOC...It is confusing, and none of it seems to get answered with any sense of urgency IMO.

and I really do wish that people in businesses or government offices would identify themselves as they answer a phone--no matter what office it is

Not sure which direction it flows in, but I thought you dialed 911, the eoc answered, you tell them you need SO, they hit a button and you are talking to them. I am sure some dispatcher will jump in and lay it all out.

 

[GoodWitch58]

Not sure which direction it flows in, but I thought you dialed 911, the eoc answered, you tell them you need SO, they hit a button and you are talking to them. I am sure some dispatcher will jump in and lay it all out.

It would be nice to have some clarification. I tried with direct calls, but still get conflicting info.

 

[wrobert]

It would be nice to have some clarification. I tried with direct calls, but still get conflicting info.

The best thing for service and the taxpayer would be to just have 911 answered in a central location and let them dispatch everyone. That way you do not have the call transfer stuff going on. It would save us some money removing the duplicated services. And one government entity would be responsible for things, reducing the tendency to assign blame.

 

[GoodWitch58]

The best thing for service and the taxpayer would be to just have 911 answered in a central location and let them dispatch everyone. That way you do not have the call transfer stuff going on. It would save us some money removing the duplicated services. And one government entity would be responsible for things, reducing the tendency to assign blame.

I totally agree and after considerable effort at clarification; I still haven't received an answer as to why it is not like this. I hope no one ever has a life and death emergency and they go through this answer/transfer/answer/hold/disconnect and someone is seriously hurt or killed...

I simply do not understand the administration model.

 

[Andy A]

The best thing for service and the taxpayer would be to just have 911 answered in a central location and let them dispatch everyone. That way you do not have the call transfer stuff going on. It would save us some money removing the duplicated services. And one government entity would be responsible for things, reducing the tendency to assign blame.

At the SWCC meeting last night, Mike Adkinson expounded for about an hour and a half on his problems, solutions and visions for the Walton County Sheriff Office. Many issues were brought up and discussed and a great deal of valuable information disseminated. Too bad you weren't there to get the real "skinny". Too much was covered to break it down here. There are two items that stand out in my mind from the meeting, however.

The first is, we have a real drug problem and solving a case takes a lot of investigation and work before an arrest can be made in most cases.

The second is in regard to the 911 system. Sheriff Adkinson wants the 911 calls to come into a central location and ALL dispatching done from there. As it is now, calls are transferred to the appropriate agency. He wants this function to be part of the Sheriff's Department. He is right. It should be centralized. Also, every Deputy is a qualified "first responder" according to the Sheriff.

Many other questions were addressed such as trespass on the beach, excessive noise and personnel matters. You missed a fine presentation if you weren't there.

 

[Matt J]

I always just dial 911 in these situations. I thought the State operated *FHP for reporting impaired drivers and traffic stuff in addition to the regular 911 system.

Yes they do, but the limited number of troopers in the area makes it difficult. I got in a wreck in PCB one time and it took the FHP trooper 2 hours to get there. I've always used 911 to report impaired drivers.