Punta Gorda council hears widespread public opposition to sheriff-led 911 consolidation; no final vote recorded

Public comments and council discussion on Feb. 19 focused on a proposal to consolidate Punta Gorda's 911 dispatch with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, drawing repeated pleas from residents and fire department staff to keep the center under city control.

Residents described personal emergencies they said were handled faster by the city's dispatchers. "I urge this council to stand firm against any proposal that gives the sheriff control over our emergency communications," said Keith Dennis Miller, who identified himself as an emergency medicine physician and emergency-dispatch specialist. Kathleen Davis and Wendy Young told the council they believed the city 911 system's local knowledge and speed had helped during structure fires and…