Lemoore public safety dispatch center closer to opening as Assembly's Rudy Salas delivers much-needed funding

Salas secured the public safety grant in this year’s 2021-22 state budget. The critical funding will help Lemoore city officials complete the new dispatching facility for local police officers and firefighters.

Salas has become somewhat of a loyal benefactor to Kings County and, more importantly, a friend of law enforcement. He also managed during his tenure to secure $8.7 million in the 2018-19 state budget for additional public safety projects in Kings County, including a new sheriff’s headquarters and the completion of a new police facility in Corcoran.

City officials and Salas have been working on the dispatch center since 2015 when the assemblyman helped to secure public safety infrastructure funding, some of which was destined for a local dispatch center.

“I am thrilled to be able to bring home public safety investments for the residents of Kings County,” said Salas. “Improving our dispatch capabilities is the first line of defense that will help our law enforcement and firefighters be more responsive to the citizens of Lemoore.”

Once opened, the dispatch center will provide dispatching services for the police department and the Lemoore Volunteer Fire Department.

Initially, city officials estimated the cost for the new center at about $1.8 million. Funding came from several sources: the general fund, state grants, and law and fire development impact fees. Nearly $1 million originally came from a state grant in 2016.

Planning for the dispatch center has evolved since 2015. At the time, the cost of dispatchers and training was expected to add about $600,000 annually to the city’s public safety budget.

While the building has been completed, additional work will take time, including acquiring the technology to run a fully equipped dispatch center. “It’s going to take a year to get the hardware installed,” said Lemoore Police Chief Michael Kendall. “Then we have to hire dispatchers, get them to school – if they’re not already trained.

“Our hurdle right now is honestly getting internet into the building,” he added. The $2 million check the police department received Tuesday morning will help speed the process.”

The dispatching center will also include a new lobby for visitors. The dispatch center is adjacent to a small parking lot that visitors will be able to utilize. The new facility will also house the police chief and other employees, technicians, and, of course, dispatchers, including a supervisor.

Chief Kendall also said the department’s detectives would move into the old police department’s front office.