GATE CITY — Police in Gate City are urging residents to make use of the county’s E-911 system instead of calling the department directly to report an emergency or request an officer.
Gate City Police Chief Kim Birchfield made the appeal this week after his office continued to field calls that he said are better suited for Scott County Central Dispatch’s 911 line.
“It’s becoming more and more of a concern for our department that our citizens are calling our direct office number wanting an officer to be dispatched for whatever reason,” Birchfield said. “It’s a great concern of ours that our citizens may not get the results or service they need because officers are not dispatched from our office. They are only dispatched by calling 911.
“We’re just trying to get the word out that if you want a police officer, that’s the number you call. ... Our office is there to answer questions or leave a number for an officer to call. All calls requesting an officer to come out are handled through 911.”
Birchfield said Scott County Central Dispatch’s computer system collects information and location data from the 911 call and uses it to ensure police, fire or rescue crews are sent to the correct place as soon as possible.
Residents needing an officer for non-emergencies can request one by calling (276) 386-9111.
Birchfield said there have been numerous instances recently of residents calling the office and leaving a voicemail for an officer in the hopes of having the officer dispatched soon after.
“We’ve had citizens call for an officer and leave a voicemail and then complain when they don’t get a quick response,” Birchfield said. “That officer could be on his day off, or taking vacation or sick time, so it could be several days before they could get back to them.”
Calling directly to the police station to request an officer is also problematic, Birchfield said, because of the department’s recent move across the street to Gate City Town Hall.
“Since we recently moved across the street to Town Hall, we no longer have voicemail,” Birchfield said. “Our phones will only be manned if we are in the office.”