Emergency dispatch has never been more essential.

With mandates requiring tens of thousands of city residents to remain indoors in attempts to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the staff at the Santa Barbara Police Department’s Public Safety Dispatch Center continue to answer the call of duty — albeit with some procedural adjustments.

Lorena Renteria has served as the voice on the other line for the past 23 years. She’s experienced quite a bit over the time and knows just how vital her job is… READ MORE