PERTH - When you pick up the phone to place a 911 emergency call in Perth on March 19, it will be answered in Smiths Falls.
“I told them to go ahead and do it,” said Perth Police Service (PPS) Chief Pat Capello, at the police services board meeting on Thursday, Jan. 10.
While the PSP won’t transition over to the OPP until Monday, April 1, “if we move it (the fire call date) we are going to miss that window” Bell Canada requires to make changes to its system to properly route the fire calls.
“To facilitate the transfer of the 911, we had to move it prior to the OCOPs ruling,” said Capello, which should be coming in a matter of days.
“I’m confident that that will facilitate a seamless transfer,” said Capello, with emergency calls going to the Smiths Falls call centre. Fire calls started being directed to Smiths Falls Tuesday, Jan. 8.
The meeting also heard that PPS officers who are making the jump to the OPP will be having a meeting about pensions and other benefits on Wednesday, Jan. 23.
THE BISNEZ
Police services board chair Stephanie Grey asked Capello what he had heard about a gang said to be operating in Perth called “The Biznez.”
“I wouldn’t call them a gang,” said Capello dismissively. “We have been aware of that group for years.”
“So, we don’t need to head for cover?” asked Grey.
“No,” Capello replied.