Hinsdale exploring options for 9-1-1 dispatch

Hinsdale has decided to terminate its partnership with Southwest Central Dispatch by the end of April, citing dissatisfaction with the existing arrangement. The village had transitioned from managing its own dispatch operations to joining Southwest Central back in 2010. At that time, the regional dispatch center offered significant savings, charging Hinsdale less than two-thirds of what it would have cost to maintain an in-house system. However, recent developments, including potential increases in operational costs and declining satisfaction with service quality, have prompted Hinsdale to explore other options.

Currently, Hinsdale residents see small surcharges on their phone bills—50 cents for landlines and 73 cents for wireless services. These funds are collected by DuPage County's Emergency Telephone System Board. Other towns within Cook County that are part of Southwest Central Dispatch contribute these fees directly to the regional center. Unfortunately, DuPage County has chosen not to forward Hinsdale's portion of these fees to Southwest Central, leading to additional financial strain on the village.

Village authorities estimate that Hinsdale currently spends around $34,000 annually for landline users and pays an extra $23,000 per month in subscription fees to Southwest Central. There is growing concern among village leaders that Southwest may soon attempt to impose a surcharge on wireless users, potentially adding another $150,000 annually to Hinsdale's expenses. Furthermore, Southwest Central is planning to construct a new facility, which could lead to long-term debt obligations for member communities unless they opt out this year.

Reliability issues with Southwest Central's equipment and backup systems have also raised red flags for Hinsdale officials. A memo from Police Chief Bradley Bloom, along with input from the fire chief, village manager, and finance director, outlines these concerns. In light of these challenges, the village is seriously considering switching to DuPage Public Safety Communications (DuComm), which offers a more advanced and dependable infrastructure.

Bloom noted that Hinsdale residents are already contributing financially to DuComm services through their 911 surcharges, making the transition seem logical. While details remain under discussion, the village appears poised to make a change that aligns better with its needs and budget constraints.

Thanks, Dan!