911 - Dispatch

The 911, or dispatch, center is the heart of the Madison County patrol operations.  Just like the heart in the human body, without dispatch, patrol operations stumble to a halt.  Some people believe that all dispatch has to do is control the radio traffic from the officers on the streets, however, this is not the case.

Dispatch operators monitor much more than just radio traffic.  In Madison County they are also responsible for monitoring all 911 calls from anywhere and everywhere in the county.  The primary dispatch station also has six computer screens that are monitored 24-7.  The screens list everything from incoming 911 calls, officer's currently working, to the State and Federal listings of warrants and Locate reports (APB's).  But that's not all.  Still in the responsibilities of a dispatcher is the locating of information for patrol officers and detectives, running criminal history and background reports, entering local warrant information into the State and Federal databases, and still much more!

Reporting Emergencies

Emergencies include crimes that are in progress or about to happen, and ones that have resulted in serious personal injury, property damage, or property loss. They also include situations in which the suspect may still be at the scene and some suspicious activities. By calling 9-1-1 you will be linked to the appropriate police as well as fire fighting, medical, and ambulance services. You don't need money to call 9-1-1 from a pay phone. See Safety Tips for Parents to find out how to teach your children to use 9-1-1.

 

Examples of 9-1-1 Emergencies

Some examples of crime emergencies that should be reported by calling 9-1-1 are:

• Fights, sexual assaults, etc.
• Homicides
• Burglaries and robberies
• Flashlight beam in a business or home, especially if the business is closed or the residents are away
• Domestic violence
• Child and elder abuse
• Sounds of gunshots, screaming, barking dogs, breaking glass, explosions, alarms, etc.
• Hit and run accidents with possible injuries
• Vehicles containing weapons or property not normally kept in vehicles
• Ongoing dumping of fuel or other hazardous substances
• Road hazards that require immediate attention to prevent personal injuries and property damage
• Graffiti and other acts of vandalism in progress
• Runaway juvenile or missing person who needs special care -- be sure to tell the operator if the person needs medication and has a special problem, e.g., Alzheimer's disease

Persons who are:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Entering a neighbor's home when the neighbor is away
• Forcing an entry of a home, business, or vehicle
• Exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms that poses a threat to him/herself or others
• Removing property from a business, home, or vehicle, especially if the business is closed or the residents are away
• Carrying or wearing bloody clothing
• Struggling with a resisting child
• Trying to or actually using a vehicle to pick up a person by force, especially a child or female

Current Threat Level:

Homeland Security Advisory

  911 - Dispatch

The 911, or dispatch, center is the heart of the Madison County patrol operations.  Just like the heart in the human body, without dispatch, patrol operations stumble to a halt.  Some people believe that all dispatch has to do is control the radio traffic from the officers on the streets, however, this is not the case.

Dispatch operators monitor much more than just radio traffic.  In Madison County they are also responsible for monitoring all 911 calls from anywhere and everywhere in the county.  The primary dispatch station also has six computer screens that are monitored 24-7.  The screens list everything from incoming 911 calls, officer's currently working, to the State and Federal listings of warrants and Locate reports (APB's).  But that's not all.  Still in the responsibilities of a dispatcher is the locating of information for patrol officers and detectives, running criminal history and background reports, entering local warrant information into the State and Federal databases, and still much more!

Reporting Emergencies

Emergencies include crimes that are in progress or about to happen, and ones that have resulted in serious personal injury, property damage, or property loss. They also include situations in which the suspect may still be at the scene and some suspicious activities. By calling 9-1-1 you will be linked to the appropriate police as well as fire fighting, medical, and ambulance services. You don't need money to call 9-1-1 from a pay phone. See Safety Tips for Parents to find out how to teach your children to use 9-1-1.

 

Examples of 9-1-1 Emergencies

Some examples of crime emergencies that should be reported by calling 9-1-1 are:

• Fights, sexual assaults, etc.
• Homicides
• Burglaries and robberies
• Flashlight beam in a business or home, especially if the business is closed or the residents are away
• Domestic violence
• Child and elder abuse
• Sounds of gunshots, screaming, barking dogs, breaking glass, explosions, alarms, etc.
• Hit and run accidents with possible injuries
• Vehicles containing weapons or property not normally kept in vehicles
• Ongoing dumping of fuel or other hazardous substances
• Road hazards that require immediate attention to prevent personal injuries and property damage
• Graffiti and other acts of vandalism in progress
• Runaway juvenile or missing person who needs special care -- be sure to tell the operator if the person needs medication and has a special problem, e.g., Alzheimer's disease

Persons who are:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Entering a neighbor's home when the neighbor is away
• Forcing an entry of a home, business, or vehicle
• Exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms that poses a threat to him/herself or others
• Removing property from a business, home, or vehicle, especially if the business is closed or the residents are away
• Carrying or wearing bloody clothing
• Struggling with a resisting child
• Trying to or actually using a vehicle to pick up a person by force, especially a child or female

Current Threat Level:

Homeland Security Advisory