NewsLocal News

Actions

No slow down during the holidays for emergency dispatchers

Posted at 4:27 PM, Dec 26, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-26 21:10:50-05

Family disputes are keeping emergency dispatchers busy this holiday season.

At the San Luis Obispo County dispatch center, the call volume during the holidays is consistent, but the types of calls are a bit different.

Dispatchers say they receive an increasing number of domestic dispute calls as tempers flare around the dinner table.

“If it’s just a regular day Monday through Friday, during business hours is typically the busiest time on the phones,” said dispatcher Nikki Sisley. “On a holiday, the phones usually don’t get busy until about after 5 when people have had dinner and started drinking, about after 5 toward midnight.”

Dispatchers also get calls related to depression around this time of year.

In the days leading up to New Year’s Eve and day, the calls are about fireworks or noise complaints. The sheriff’s office asks people with those kinds of issues to call the non-emergency line.