What Changes in Lake Orion 911 Dispatch Service Means to You

The following is a public service announcement from Police Chief Jerry Narsh to the residents, businesses and visitors to the Village of Lake Orion regarding emergency dispatching services:

In 1983 the State of Michigan implemented the 911 emergency telephone system. The Lake Orion Police Department located at 37 E. Flint St. Lake Orion Ml. 48362 was designated at that time to serve as the 911 or Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for both the Village of Lake Orion and Orion Township.

In addition to receiving and processing 911 calls for both communities, the Lake Orion Police 911 Center has radio dispatched Orion Township Fire Department since 1953, for over 60 years under a separate contract with Orion Township.

This year, Orion Township officials have elected to contract with another dispatching service to provide 911 services for the Township and to provide Fire Dispatching services. As a result of the loss of funds from the Orion Township Dispatching Agreement, the Village was forced to disband our 911 Center and seek another emergency dispatching option effective January 1, 2014.

Lake Orion Village administration contacted representatives from the South East Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) who provided experts in emergency dispatching consolidation to work with us to determine the best dispatching service at the best price for the Village of Lake Orion.

The Oxford Police 911 Center was identified as the best option for many reasons. We have similar 911 centers and have shared 911 backup responsibilities since 1983, making both centers equally knowledgeable of each other's communities and police operations and they are the lowest price for this service.

What This Means for Village Residents and Businesses:

• Emergency and Non-Emergency Communications – Effective Monday, January 6, 2014 at 8:00 a.m., the Lake Orion Police Department (LOPD) will transfer all 911 operations and police dispatching services to the Oxford Police 911 Center located at 22 W. Burdick St in Oxford, 48371. You as a resident or business should not experience any delay or notice any change in service. If you have an emergency you call 911; a local operator will answer and dispatch emergency services as needed. If your request is to speak with police administration or an officer at the LOPD or you have after-hours requests for services for the Village Department of Public Works (DPW), you will call the same Non-emergency number as you do now, by calling (248) 693-8321. The call will be answered at the Oxford Dispatch Center and they will direct your call as needed.
• Walk in Service Requests at the Lake Orion Police Department – Effective Monday Jan, 6, 2014 at 8 a.m., the LORD Dispatch Center will be staffed by a Desk/Records Clerk, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Desk Clerk will be able to accept payments for police services, process requests for copies of police reports and provide general assistance. After 5 p.m., the Police Department will not be staffed and open 24 hours, but will have 24 hour open lobby access with a call box that will answer at the Oxford Dispatch Center. If an emergency exists, call 911, all non-emergency officer and information needs are serviced by calling (248) 693-8321.

Thank you for your support of the LORD 911 Centerall of these years. We are confident you will not experience anything other than the same fast, courteous and professional services as before.

If you have questions or concerns, please call me at (248) 693-8321 and I will be happy to help.

This change only affects dispatching services, Lake Orion Police Officers are on duty 24-7 as always. Walk in services at the police department are affected by not having a dispatcher  in the building 24-7 to allow access into the building while LOPD officers are on patrol or on calls.