New Johnson County joint communication center helps find 911 caller

IOWA CITY - Authorities say a recent 911 emergency call demonstrated the effectiveness of the enhanced cooperation between the new Johnson County Joint Emergency Communications Center, the University of Iowa Police Communications Center, Iowa City Police and University of Iowa Police.

On Wednesday, a caller reported being assaulted in a vehicle that was traveling through the Iowa City area. The agencies - using the new radio, phone, dispatch and mobile computer systems - were able to exchange information and locate the victim.

The caller, a university student, originally reported being assaulted at an apartment but was traveling in her car with a boyfriend from out of town, a statement from the university says. As UI Police searched areas on campus and the communication center was issuing alerts to area law enforcement, an Iowa City officer recognized the car and pulled the vehicle over.

As a result, university police arrested Ryan Finn, 22, of Blauvelt, N.Y., for false imprisonment, first-degree harassment, assault causing injury and obstruction of emergency communications. He was transported to the Johnson County Jail.

"This is an example of how critical communication is when an emergency occurs in our community," David Visin, associate director of University of Iowa Public Safety and emergency communications lead, said.

Prior to the establishment of the joint communications center, law enforcement operated three dispatch centers and used two incompatible radio systems. Now all law emergency services will be on one system and dispatch operations are run out of the one location.

- University of Iowa news service