Letter to the Editor: Ledyard Police Union Opposes Outsourcing of Emergency Dispatch

In response to Mayor John Rodolico's announcement that he is considering outsourcing the the current emergency dispatch system to either Montville or Groton, the Ledyard Police Union wrote this letter to the editor.

March 5, 2013

To Mayor Rodolico and the Members of the Town Council,

This letter is written from the position of The Ledyard Police Union Local #2693 members.  It has been brought to the membership’s attention that there is serious consideration of outsourcing the dispatch center for the Town of Ledyard as a method of financial savings. This creates numerous concerns from a Law Enforcement standpoint.

The Ledyard Dispatch center is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, within the Ledyard Police Station. This provides the towns citizens with a direct point of contact at anytime of the day or night, either to answer any questions or assist with an emergency. A dispatcher would maintain occupancy of the building at all times, even in the occasions were all the police personnel were deployed through out town. In the event the Town of Ledyard decides to accept an independent police force, continuing housing a dispatch center within the police station would be an extreme benefit for the citizens of Ledyard.

The Town of Ledyard’s current dispatch center operations provides the citizens of the Town of Ledyard with the familiarization of not only the roadways and geographical layout of the town, though the trouble locations and or persons with a direct knowledge of any and all interactions with such persons. The benefit with our dual (fire and police) purpose dispatchers provides this familiarization and recognition when there are various emergencies throughout town.

The Town of Ledyard is extremely fortunate to have an experienced, professional, and knowledgeable dispatch center to serve its townspeople. The members of this Union rely on this experience, professionalism, knowledge to protect the Town of Ledyard citizens during their time of need. The chance of delayed dispatch due to unfamiliarity of the geographic layout of the town, or the lack knowledge of the “trouble spots” with an outsourced dispatch center would jeopardize not only the safety of the citizens within the Town of Ledyard though the Emergency Personnel who serve them.

The members of this Union hope the government of the Town of Ledyard will continue to provide the best service to the citizens without being solely focused on the financial savings to the Town, especially when public safety is a stake. Outsourcing has its place in the private sector, but when dealing with emergency services, safety should be the main goal.  

On Behalf of the Membership,

Daniel Gagnon, President

Alan Muench, Vice President

Thomas Olsen, Secretary/Treasurer

Editor's Note: If you are a Ledyard resident and would like to submit a letter to the editor, please e-mail me jessie.king@patch.com