LAPD TAKING 911 CELL CALLS SWITCH FROM CHP IN BEGINNING PHASE.

Byline: Dan Laidman Staff Writer

LAPD dispatchers began answering 911 calls made from some cell phones Thursday, the first step toward a citywide switch-over that is expected to result in quicker emergency response times.

The Los Angeles Police Department aims to take over all such calls in the city by the end of the year from the California Highway Patrol, except for those placed from freeways.

``There won't be the delay of transferring the call,'' said LAPD Assistant Chief Sharon Papa. ``We definitely think that's an enhancement of the service we provide.''

At the urging of the Federal Communications Commission, state officials are enhancing wireless 911 technology while transferring responsibility for answering the calls to local agencies.

While numerous regional police departments are already taking such calls, Los Angeles is the largest city so far to do so.

Officials predict it will add 25,000 to 40,000 wireless calls to the 10,000 the LAPD currently receives each month via the CHP.

To accommodate the increased call volume, the LAPD has undergone a $2.5 million upgrade to its dispatch system. The money comes from the state, which levies a 911 surcharge on cell phone bills.

City Councilman Jack Weiss, who chairs the Public Safety Committee, brought the issue to the council in 2002 after being inspired by a harrowing personal experience.

Weiss said he saw a car hit a bicyclist in the Sepulveda Pass and when he dialed 911 from his cell phone, he was frustrated that he had to wait for the CHP to transfer the call.

``That took too long,'' he said.

Californians make about 8 million wireless 911 calls a year, and the CHP is relieved to give up some of its load, said Thomas Prigatano, a dispatch supervisor for the agency.

``CHP call centers have just been overloaded with calls,'' he said.

Currently the technology pinpoints callers' locations based on the nearest cell tower, said Tim Riley, the LAPD's chief information officer.

``Generally speaking, if you're on a city street in Los Angeles, you'll get LAPD. If you're on a freeway, you'll get CHP, but there are some exceptions,'' he said.

Dispatchers should be adopting new technology to get a more precise location in the future, he said, but the time frame depends on the FCC and the wireless companies.

The LAPD is starting the switch-over with calls from the Central Division in downtown; other regions will be phased in throughout the year.

The project has not yet required any additional staff, Riley said, although LAPD is requesting an extra 26 dispatchers in next year's budget.

Dan Laidman, [phone]

dan.laidman(at)dailynews.com