Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. is seeking a regional 911 call center that would serve the county and perhaps southeastern Wisconsin, reports the Milwaukee Journal Senteinel. “The current disjointed system is a catastrophe waiting to happen,” he said. In the meantime, Clarke wants to continue receiving and dispatching all 911 cell calls in Milwaukee County. The city of Milwaukee is balking because it has a new $64 million building that includes a 911 call center capable of receiving and locating emergency cell calls.
Clarke said his office is best positioned to receive and dispatch calls because it has jurisdiction throughout the county. The bigger issue, he, is having a single 911 center. Clarke said miscommunication during the Sept. 11 attacks shows the need for a better system.