Because of 15% uptick in call volume this year, change designed to provide better assistance to the public
The Sarasota County Public Safety Communications Center has implemented a new automated attendant system for the Sheriff’s Office’s non-emergency line, 941-316-1201, the Sheriff’s Office has reported.
Because of the rise in call volume so far this year, compared to the 2022 level, “this added convenience will better direct non-emergency calls to one of the following locations: County Correctional Facility, Animal Services, Records, Fingerprinting and Sex Offender Registration, Civil, Fugitive Apprehension, 311Connect, or a communications operator,” a news release explains
“In the event the caller has an emergency,” the release points out, the person “will be directed to press 1 to be transferred (and prioritized)” to a call taker. Additionally, if at any time a caller presses 0, that individual will be routed to a Communications Center operator for further assistance, the release adds.
A Spanish option is also available with the same prompts, the release notes.
In 2022, the Sheriff’s Office handled a total of 657,970 calls, with 289,624 of them emergency calls for service, the release says. “With a 15% increase in call volume this year, this system will help both the agency and the community address issues more efficiently, rapidly,” and in a streamlined manner, the release adds.
“As always,” the release says, the Sheriff’s Office staff “would like to remind those calling the center for non-emergency incidents to use 941.316.1201. If you are in doubt about whether you are having an emergency, dial 911,” the release points out.