Lexington residents will be hearing more out-of-town voices when they call for help starting Wednesday, July 1, as the city’s police and fire departments shut down in-house dispatching. Officials say the decision comes down to tight budgets and the loss of administrative staff, and that routine, non-emergency calls will now be handled in neighboring Purcell. City leaders are emphasizing that 911 is still the go-to number for any life-threatening emergencies.
Departments Announce Service Shift
According to KFOR, the Lexington Police Department and Lexington Fire Department notified residents on social media that local dispatch services are ending Wednesday. After the change, non-emergency lines will be forwarded to Purcell/McClain County. In their posts, officials pointed to shrinking municipal revenues and a lack of day-to-day administrative coverage as the reasons for the move.
Calls Routed To Purcell And McClain County
Once the switch is flipped, anyone dialing Lexington’s non-emergency line should expect to reach dispatchers in Purcell or with McClain County instead of someone inside city limits. The McClain County Sheriff’s Office lists its dispatch number as (405) 527-4600, and that is the line that will be receiving the forwarded calls.
How To Reach Police, File A Report
For immediate, urgent situations, residents are still instructed to call 911. For non-emergencies or to make a report, Lexington’s police page continues to list (405) 527-9881 as the department’s main number, which will now roll over to outside dispatch.
Why Now, And Who To Call
Local reporting has framed the dispatch change as a clear symptom of a tight city budget paired with thin administrative staffing, leaving Lexington with limited options for keeping phones covered in-house. KFOR notes that residents who want more details or have concerns about the switch are being directed to contact Lexington City Hall or the city manager at (405) 527-2623.
