Boardman plans November for opening of new 911 center - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

BOARDMAN, Ohio - Boardman police dispatch is renovating its 911 call center.

When the process is complete in November, the facility will meet new government regulations and provide better communication to officers on the street.

As the system is now, only one officer at a time can radio back to base. Meaning, if two emergencies are happening at once, officers have to wait their turn. Under the new system, up to four can radio at one time.

"I think the officers that are using it will see a big difference," said Boardman Police Chief Jack Nichols. "They won't have to wait for another officer to finish a radio transmission before they can begin theirs."

A clear frequency signal will expand further out of the Boardman area than before, making it possible in the future for additional communities to merge into their system.

This is similar to what's happening in Trumbull County where multiple communities are now consolidating to save money.

The new system in Boardman will have a direct connection with Austintown and eventually be used to dispatch Mill Creek MetroPark Police.

Talks are in place with Springfield and Beaver Townships to take over their dispatching, and overtures have been made to Youngstown police and the Mahoning County Sheriff's Department.