Porter wants to keep 911 dispatch operation but will join the county

Veteran 911 dispatcher Jennifer Herron-Jolley told the Porter Town Council Tuesday that it’s been an “emotional time” these days as an employee of the Chesterton/Porter joint dispatch center.

“I’ve been doing this job for 25 years. It’s been my life,” Herron-Jolley said.

During the past few weeks, the future of the dispatch center had been uncertain.

The Porter County Commissioners enacted on April 1 a new standard operating procedure for its Porter County E-911 system. The 911 calls received by the county dispatch would no longer be transferred to the Chesterton/Porter dispatchers, who handle calls for the two police departments.

On Monday, Chesterton Town Council President Erin Collins announced that due to the county’s decision, the town would join the county E-911 system with the goal of consolidating dispatch operations by Oct. 1.

Porter Town Council President William Lopez, D-Ward 3, read a statement at Tuesday’s council meeting, noting that the town, after many meetings, decided that it will join in the consolidation of its dispatch operations with Porter County E-911.

Councilwoman Laura Madigan, D-Ward 1, looking directly at Herron-Jolley, stated: “I know that I am not supposed to apologize, but I’m so sorry.”

Madigan and Councilwoman Kelly Karriman, D-Ward 5, said efforts were made to try to save the Porter part of the dispatch operation. Town officials reached out to the Indiana Dunes National Park, exploring whether the town could combine its dispatch operation with theirs.

“Our decision to consolidate is based primarily on the fact that our partner has already announced their decision. We cannot afford to double our dispatch expenses by keeping it all to ourselves. We tried to find a partner. We have no other partner,” Madigan explained.

Councilman Don Craft, D-Ward 2, said if they could, the dispatch operation would remain local.

“I think it’s fairly obvious that all five of us and Chief (Dan) Dickey would prefer to keep the dispatch here in Porter, but it’s just not the case where it’s going to be possible,” Craft said.

Lopez asked the council members about when the consolidation could take effect and suggested that 90 days might be enough time.

Herron-Jolley told the council that the town already has a budget in place for the dispatch center this year.

“Why do you have to rush us out? Let us stay with our guys who are used to us, and we’re used to them,” Herron-Jolley said.

The summer high season, with tourists flocking to the Indiana Dunes National and State Parks, is a busy time for local law enforcement, Herron-Jolley said.

Craft said it makes sense to keep the dispatchers around, at least until Labor Day. Madigan also agreed, saying she would favor “slow rolling” of the transition process.

Lopez said that the council will discuss later when the transition could take place and vote on it.

Porter County Commissioner Jim Biggs, R-North, said that the county has had good discussions with Porter town officials.

Biggs said that Chesterton town officials, though, didn’t contact him before announcing their decision.

“I have not heard from a single town official that this is what they want to do. That sort of thing is not healthy,” Biggs said

While Chesterton has set an Oct. 1 date for the transition, Biggs said the county might not be ready by that date.

The county’s E-911 system needs to expand to a four-channel system from its current three-channel operation.

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The Chesterton and Porter Police Departments would be temporarily put on the same channel with Valparaiso until a fourth channel can be added that would be dedicated to handling all of the Duneland communities, Biggs said.

The county would also need to hire two more dispatchers and it would take 8 months to train them, Biggs said.

“There is no drop-dead date. Consolidation will be completed when it’s ready to be completed,” Biggs said.

Biggs said that the county never forced the communities to make a decision to consolidate with the Porter County E-911 system.

The commissioner, though, did suggest on June 18, on the day of an officer-involved shooting handled by Chesterton police at the Hilton Garden Inn, that it might be time for the two towns to consider consolidating dispatch operations with the county.

In the end, Biggs said all of the parties “want the same thing,” which is to deliver the best possible dispatch service.

Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.