FREE
VOLUME 6, NO. 177
•
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022
UNSEEN HEROES
PLANT CITY POLICE DISPATCHERS ARE ANOTHER GROUP OF FIRST RESPONDERS BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER
“Plant City Police Department – Operator 575. This line is recorded. How may I help you?” This is the daily response Jessica Alexander gives when answering 9-1-1 calls in Plant City. She is a staff member of the Plant City Police Department Communications Cen-
ter - dispatching first responders to the scene of emergencies. It’s a task where she and her coworkers have to expect the unexpected, especially when there is an increase in the number of phone lines to answer. “We have a pretty high call volume,” explained Alexander. Those calls can range from 800 to 900 a day.The most that they receive are related to domestic abuse, followed by traffic accidents, noted Alexander.
“Calls have been picking up alot lately,” she added. “The past couple of months have just been really, really busy.” Alexander stated that during the holiday season, there tends to be a rise in suicides, theft, and fatal car accidents. She also dispels any notion that because Plant City is a small town, dispatchers have a light workload.
At her station, Alexander is equipped with five monitors and several keyboards with multiple functions. Based on calls, each incident is listed, documented, and constantly updated as new information comes in. And there is a radio to relay that information to officers or fire rescue.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
TOMORROW’S LEADERS ARE TODAY’S HELPING HANDS PLANT CITY SCOUT TROOP TAKE ON LEARNING SKILLS WHILE HELPING COMMUNITY
BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER
Plant City Boy Scout Troop 744 is an example of how much community service can be achieved when the youth are given the opportunity to participate in events. Along with Pack 5 and Pack 734, it is another scout club that represents Plant City. The accomplishments and accolades of Troop 744 is due impart to its youth-led operation. “They make the decisions,” said Anthony Benavidez, scout master for Troop 744. “The boys create a schedule or a calendar, and they do two to three things monthly. We like to do at least one of those as a community service project.” As a new affiliate with the First Call – First Responder Church, the troop has already been engaged in tasks that are community-centered. Back in December of last year, they conducted a flag retirement ceremony – a ritual in burning an American flag that is in bad condition.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
Plant City’s Scout Troop 744 is always learning how to take fun activities and build life and social skills.