West Long Branch Police to Provide Dispatch Services for Oceanport

The West Long Branch Council unanimously approved a resolution to merge Oceanport's Police Department's dispatch services with West Long Branch during its meeting Wednesday night.

"I think both towns work hard to protect their employees and residents," West Long Branch Mayor Janet Tucci said. "This will save money and be more cost-effective."

West Long Branch Police Capt. Lawrence Mihlon said dispatch services for both boroughs will be handled by the West Long Branch Police Department on Broadway.

Mihlon said the shared services agreement will save both boroughs money.

"The spirit of (the agreement) is more about efficiency and cost effectiveness," Mihlon said.

Oceanport Mayor Michael Mahon told the Little Silver-Oceanport Patch that the agreement will cut annual dispatch costs by “by nearly 50 percent” for each community."

“Annual increases of 2 percent are included in the agreement with the boroughs projecting a joint savings of $1.3 million over the initial five-year term," Mahon said.

Mihlon said both departments have already started integrating their dispatch software, and he expects the West Long Branch police to start handling all dispatch services for both boroughs by late April.

Mihlon said the agreement is the product of  long negotiations between both boroughs and that he is happy an agreement was reached that will be mutually beneficial for the boroughs.

"These are two police departments that have historically and famously worked together," Mihlon said. "I'm proud of the police in both towns."