What Portland Is Doing To Cut 911 Wait Times
For many years, Portland's Bureau of Emergency Communications, or BOEC, has struggled for years with long hold times, made worse by post-pandemic burnout and staffing shortages. At one point our county’s 911 hold times averaged four times longer than the national standard. But they're trying to turn things around. Today we're talking to the Director of BOEC Bob Cozzie about how things are going today and what his department is doing to improve 911 wait times.
Join City Cast Portland at the 503 Day Block Party, Saturday, May 3, at downtown Portland's Ankeny Alley!! Details and RSVP here.
Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here.
Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448.
Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Portland, and be sure to follow us on Instagram.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
Learn more about the sponsors of this April 24th episode:
- Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
- PaintCare
- Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Portland and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Will Portland Ban Some Right Turns on Red? Plus, a Councilor Torched His Backyard and Portland’s Pettiest Gripes
We’re talking about a Portland city councilor who was caught burning yard waste during the worst wildfire season on record and a proposal...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Naked Neighbors, Unwelcome Pets, and Other City Life Dilemmas — Presented By City Cast Portland
As much as you love Portland, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have comp...

Portland Had the World's Worst Air, Downtown Is Bribing Brokers, and Climate Dollars for Cops Fails
We've got updates on the I-5 Rose Quarter renovation, the climate cash for cops ballot initiative, and Portland's toxic air quality as we...

Roaches, Comedians, and a Rebel Grocer Saving Parkrose's Biggest Food Desert
We're talking about a lawsuit alleging a nearly year-long cockroach infestation at a Home Forward property. Plus, an insider's look at th...

Why You Might Smell Smoke This Week. Plus Salem's Data Center Revolt and the Real Reason PDX Trees are Dying
Today we’re talking about how Oregon’s wildfires are the largest in our state’s history. Plus, Salem is standing up against encroaching d...

Why Portland Should Host the Food Oscars, the New Punk Rock Mall, and Portland's Newest Party Bars
Today on City Cast Portland, can Portland snag the world-famous James Beard food awards from Chicago? And could Pioneer Place become the...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How One City Beat Restrictive Zoning — Presented By City Cast Portland
Do you know how zoning laws affect Portland’s housing costs? New Haven, CT, has been governed for years by restrictive zoning that made i...

Police Ballot Signature Mess, State Hospital Scandal Updates, and Portland Parks Kills Beloved Waterslide
We're talking about why efforts to fund cops with climate dollars aren't going as smoothly as some had hoped, and we have updates on our...

Your Guide to August 2026 in Portland
Whether you’re riding bikes to the cutest curated public art galleries, roller skating to some local hip-hop, or trying delicious Hawaiia...

City Gets Sued for $717K Over a Single Tree, Why Nextdoor is the Worst, and Theories on All Those Loud Booms
We’re talking about how a single tree cost the city over $700,000 and a new local alternative to Nextdoor promising less snark and more c...

