Dispatch Changes Aim to Speed Response

Dispatch for the Blaine County Sheriff's Office has been transferred to 9-1-1 dispatch in Weatherford. The change is effective immediately and has been in the works for some time.

Sheriff Travis Daugherty said the 9-1-1 system should be used for all emergency calls. That would include eminent danger to the caller or a threatening situation.

“Please, if you are in danger and believe you have one phone call before your phone dies, dial 9-1-1,” Daugherty wrote. “Just utilize 9-1-1. You won’t be in trouble unless it is a bogus call. Protect yourself and get the help you need. Calling the local numbers will slow the process. We can only transfer you from (them) and seconds can seem like minutes when lives are on the line.”

The decision to make the change was made locally to ensure a timely response. Weatherford 9-1-1 will also dispatch Watonga and Okeene police departments in addition to Blaine County Sheriff’s deputies.

The City of Watonga has also made posts to social media concerning the changes, saying it was done to ensure prompt, reliable emergency service inside the city.

For non-emergency situations involving city services, call the Watonga Police Department at (580) 623-7355, and the fire department may be reached at (580) 623-7378.

Dispatch remains the same as ever was in Geary, though. According to Terryl Allen, communications supervisor for Geary PD, community members can call (405) 884-2167 to reach the department or dial 9-1-1. 9-1-1 will connect the caller to Weatherford dispatch and they will be rerouted to the Geary dispatcher.

However, to inquire about the status of Blaine County Jail inmate, call the jail at (580) 623-5111. Non-emergency calls to the sheriff's office can use the same telephone number.

By Connie Burcham