Emergency 911 service in Douglas County was interrupted, then diverted Monday after excavation workers at the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center hit and damaged cable lines to the building.
"As of two minutes ago, everything is operating completely," County Administrator Craig Weinaug said at 7:55 p.m. Monday. "We had most of our communications back earlier, but we hadn't transferred our 911 call center. We're all back now."
Busy signals greeted those calling Douglas County offices Monday afternoon and into the evening.
The damaged lines forced county departments and Lawrence Police to find other ways to communicate. Emergency 911 calls were directed to the emergency dispatch center at Kansas University. Some county departments asked residents to call different numbers for administrative issues.
Commissioner Jere McElhaney said a crew with Kelly Construction hit unmarked cable lines while working on the east side of the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center. The county contracted with the construction company to help with foundation work for a new generator that will be installed.
People should continue calling 9-1-1 if they have an emergency. But Weinaug urged residents with administrative questions to come in person to law and court offices or defer their business.
Lawrence Police Sgt. Dan Ward said residents with calls of an administrative nature should call 830-7400.
"That number will be in operation during the time of the phones being out," he said.
People with administrative questions for the Douglas County Sheriff's Department should call 830-1024, said Sheriff Lt. Kari Wempe.
She said people should leave a message at that number. The message would then be passed along to the appropriate person.
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