Classic Outsourcing Debate

The town of Great Barrington (Mass., pop. 7,500) is having the classic debate among its selectmen and residents over a plan to move dispatching to the county. Right now the department has two patrol officers working at most times, and an officer working the dispatch position. Selectmen want to move dispatching to Berkshire County, and move the dispatch officer back to the streets. But during a recent town hall meeting, officers and citizens were showed their displeasure over the plan, saying an earlier non-binding referendum showed residents want to keep dispatching services at the police department. Read about the debate here.