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A proposal to look again at combining Butler County's nine emergency dispatch centers has drawn heated reaction from some law enforcement officials — including the county's top cop.

Butler County Commissioner Gregory Jolivette insists that now is the time to combine dispatch efforts for agencies that share similar geography, and said the county's new 800 MHz communication system can allow all police and fire departments to share channels countywide. Jolivette said a merger would be more cost effective in the long run — especially when it comes to future maintenance.

"I'm totally against it," said Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones. "It's going to cost the taxpayers more money, It's horse doo-doo."

"I don't want to give up our dispatch," said Middletown police Chief Greg Schwarber. "There's a plethora of things the dispatchers do besides just dispatching." On top of answering 911 calls, the city's dispatchers also take walk-in complaints, manage jail visits, receive bond payments and provide a safe place for distressed residents 24 hours a day, he said.

Jolivette pointed to other areas in Ohio, which already have successfully merged dispatch operations.

"We're going through tough economic times, and I think the turf wars and the arguments need to fade away," Jolivette said. "We need to at least take a look at it."

Trenton Mayor Rhonda Freeze said she's "all for regionalism."

"As for looking at combining services, such as infrastructure or communications, regionalism is going to be key," Freeze said. "As far as combining 911 dispatch centers, I'm all for looking at it because there's merit to it."

Freeze said she would like to see a feasibility report on combining dispatch centers.

Staff Writers Ed Richter and Daniel Wells contributed to this report.

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