Cedarburg Police Department turns to Ozaukee County, installs Safe Space system after losing dispatchers
The Cedarburg Police Department has installed a nighttime system so residents have emergency access to the lobby when the building is closed.
After losing two dispatchers, the police department couldn't staff the night shift, meaning that from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., the lobby is now inaccessible to residents. Cedarburg Police Capt. Joe Kell said they department wanted the lobby to remain accessible for people fleeing emergency situations such as domestic abuse or physical altercations.
Effective July 6, residents can push a button next to the entry, which opens the door and locks after they enter the lobby, keeping them safe until officers arrive. The Safe Space alarm system is intended for use between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when the lobby is closed. The lobby glass is reinforced and should stand up to blunt force, though it is not bulletproof.
The Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office is notified when the Safe Space is activated, and an alarm sounds. After officers arrive and address the situation, they can reset the Safe Space.
The remaining four Cedarburg dispatchers will continue to staff the department from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. For nonemergency calls after 11 p.m., there is a phone outside the department building that connects callers to the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office.
A shortage of dispatchers
Both Cedarburg Police Department and Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office have a shortage of dispatchers, during a nationwide trend of worker shortages. Southeastern Wisconsin has seen dwindling numbers in its public service departments, including in jails and fire stations.
Kell said that with the loss of two dispatchers, the department had a choice to make.
“So instead of filling those out on such short notice, the plan was that we are contracting with the [Ozaukee County] Sheriff's Department for those services after 11 p.m.,” Kell said.
He added that the money that would go toward two additional dispatchers has been allocated elsewhere, partly to fund the alarm system.
Ozaukee County Sheriff's Lt. Justin Kaas said they have been short staffed in the jail and dispatch divisions, and currently have 13 full-time dispatchers.
"Dispatch has been in a downward trend for the past two years," Kaas said in an email. "In the past 3 months, we have had turnover in our dispatch center, but we are making gains in that area."
Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office dispatches for its own agency, as well as Port Washington, Grafton, Saukville and Fredonia police, fire and emergency medical services, and Belgium and Waubeka fire and rescue. It also dispatches for Thiensville police and fire on certain weekend shifts and, starting July 1, Cedarburg night shifts from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Grafton's Safe Space alarm
Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office took over all dispatching for the Grafton Police Department in 2018. Soon after, Grafton Police Department installed its own Safe Space alarm system for residents to use in emergencies when the lobby was unstaffed at night.
Grafton Police Officer Patrick Brock said no one has used the Safe Space alarm in the years they've had it activated.
"I think it's still a good service to have and offer our community," Brock said.
Lydia Morrell can be reached at 320-444-2339 or lmorrell@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @lydia_morrell.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Cedarburg Police turns to Ozaukee County after losing dispatchers
