LOCKPORT, N.Y. — The City of Lockport mayor is asking Niagara County to provide 911 dispatch to the city at no cost.
Mayor Michelle Roman called on the Niagara County Legislature and Sheriff's Office to provide 911 services to the city.
The mayor hopes this will help correct an obsolete system that has been overlooked for years.
"We have learned that the City's 911 dispatch equipment is antiquated and has been obsolete for over twenty years," said Roman. "It is unfortunate that the previous administrations in the City had continuously ignored this serious issue and the potential dire consequences that we may face from a catastrophic failure."
2 On Your Side first reported on this story back in June. According to Roman, the cost to upgrade the current system is about $280,000. To join the county system, that would be $160,000 per year.
Some officials in Lockport say they want to upgrade the system now, because that would be the quicker option.
"This is a conversation that needs to take place with county, city politicians as well as the union of the Lockport Police Department and those conversations I think negotiations would be time consuming and I just don't think we have the luxury of that time," said Steven Preisch, Chief of Lockport Police to 2 On Your Side reporter Jeff Preval in June.
The police 911 line has been outdated since the early 2000s. There are three lines there but one of them is down, and another line doesn't even have caller ID.
Only landline 911 calls go to Lockport Police, cell phone calls go to the county, which is operated by the Niagara County Sheriff's Office.
The City of Lockport has been working with county officials to negotiate a smooth transition to county dispatch, but it should be at no cost to city taxpayers.
"This is a service that the County government provides to all residents of towns and villages throughout the County. Lockport residents pay County taxes too! They should receive the same level of service as the rest of the County residents enjoy," said Roman.
There's no word yet on when the transition will take place.
