Troop B dispatch will still answer all 911 calls

NORTH CANAAN — A planned move of dispatch services that would have routed 911 calls in the State Police Troop B area to Troop L in Litchfield has been put on hold.

In October, State Police Information Officer Lt. J. Paul Vance told The Journal the consolidation was scheduled to take place within a matter of weeks. Although he said it would have no impact on service to the public, and civilian dispatchers here could continue their employment in Litchfield, the proposal sparked controversy at Troop B.

Some said it was only the first step in closing the barracks, which has been in North Canaan for decades.

Vance did not give a specific reason for the decision to table the consolidation.

“The primary goal was to serve the people of northwest Connecticut as well and as economically as possible,� Vance said. “[The change is] simply not a priority right now. But there is nothing to say it won’t happen in the future. We are just not prepared to do it at this time.�

As for closing Troop B, Vance gave his assurances there will always be a be a state police barracks in the Northwest Corner. Troop B covers more than 500 square miles and 13 towns, many of which have no other police coverage.

Vance said that if anything changes, it might be to replace the old barracks with a building that would better serve current needs.