Dispatch Consolidation Will Save Money, Cost Jobs

A proposal for Highland Park, Lake Forest and Lake Bluff to contract with the Village of Glenview to operate their joint police and fire dispatch services will save the City money and eliminate some current jobs.

After some longtime preliminary negotiations between the municipalities, the Highland Park City Council approved the start of formal talks between the towns Jan. 13. The agreement would be for five years.

Highland Park’s dispatch center at the Public Safety Building will remain open under the proposed arrangement but will be operated by Glenview, according to Highland Park Police Chief Paul Shafer.

 “It will save about $250,000 a year for five years,” City Manager David Knapp said. He also estimates four to five jobs will be eliminated. “They would be able to reapply (to the new entity).”

Schafer does not think people calling the dispatch center will notice a difference even if a call is shifted from Highland Park to Glenview. “The calls will be handled by the other center seamlessly,” he said.

Once a final deal is reached with the four communities, it will require City Council approval.

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