Nelsonville Police contract with Athens County dispatchers starts May 30

The Nelsonville Police Department will changing dispatching services to the Athens County 9-1-1 Central Communications Center at 8 a.m. Thursday.

At that time, the (740) 753-1736 non-emergency number previously used to call the Nelsonville Police Department will ring into a telephone tree with several options for callers to select from. For emergencies, call 9-1-1.

To reach a police officer or file a police report, press 1 to be connected to the Athens County 9-1-1 Central Communications Center. They may dispatch an officer for any call you may need assistance with this includes suspicious persons, property crimes, loud noise etc. Dispatchers will not be able to assist in receiving copies of police reports.

For questions about city operations or events or to make a code complaint, press 2 to be redirected to the City Manager’s office.

For information regarding the Mayor’s Court or to pay a fine, press 3 and to be redirected to the Mayor’s Court Clerk.

To request a copy of a police report or for questions regarding police department records or need to leave a message for an individual officer, press 4 to be redirected to the Police Department Clerk.

To discuss property that has been confiscated or found, press 5 to talk with the Property Room Custodian.

The Nelsonville Police Department/Mayor’s Court Clerk works from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. For answers to any questions regarding copies of reports or making payments outside of those hours, leave a message and someone will call back the following business day.

Nelsonville City Council approved an ordinance for the switch during its May 13 meeting. During the meeting, Council member Jonathan “Johnny” Flowers said he was still pursing other options for “the best protection.”

The police department’s contract with Hocking College started in late 2020-early 2021. The start date has been disputed by county and Nelsonville officials. In previous report, City Manager Tom Cangemi noted that the police department’s contract with Hocking College for dispatch service expired about two years ago.

During the commissioners’ meeting, Tolliver noted that his agency’s working relationship with Hocking College dispatch had been “less than ideal,” but did not elaborate.

In February, Athens County Commissioners authorized the Athens County 911 Emergency Communications Center to enter into an agreement with Nelsonville Police Department to provide dispatching services.At that time, the proposed contract was $85,000 per year for three years.