But, once the front desk closes down, that officer will also be freed up to go on road patrol, Smith said.

The commander said he won't know which barracks will be selected as the dispatch station for Malone calls until he sits down with the zone commander and communications officials who are on temporary assignment in Syracuse for the State Fair.

Smith said the public will not see any change in response times with the more-distant dispatch system.

"Absolutely not. They would see no difference whatsoever," he said. "They would be calling the State Police in Plattsburgh or Ray Brook, but the patrol would be dispatched the same."

draymo@pressrepublican.com