Ongoing budget problems in Livingston County continue to bring change to law enforcement in the county.

Starting this week, the Chillicothe Police Department will take over emergency law enforcement, fire and medical dispatch services for the entire county. Sheriff Steve Cox says his office will only periodically be occupied.

Cox calls it unfortunate that no one will be there to answer the telephone calls and foot traffic into the office.

“As much as we dislike automated answering services we have no choice but to have this at the LCSO,” Cox said in a news release.

“If you come to the LCSO and a deputy or the sheriff are not in the building then all our doors will be locked. A sign on the front door will direct you to call the above numbers or report to the Chillicothe Police Department dispatch to report your needs.”

When no one is in the building to answer the telephone the caller will be directed to hang-up and dial 911 for an emergency or basically to select a voice mailbox to leave a message for a specific employee. If you need a deputy dispatched for a non-emergency matter you are urged to call the Chillicothe Police Department Dispatcher at 660-646-2121.