Police to Open Mini-Substation in Gaslamp Area

San Diego police will open a “mini-substation” in the Gaslamp Quarter on Aug. 1.

The storefront office is part of the Police Department’s continuing effort to reduce street crime, which has hindered economic development in the historic downtown area in the past year, Assistant Police Chief Bob Burgreen said. Reported crime in the area fell by 7% during the last year, he said.

The substation will be staffed with one full-time officer, one clerical worker and two community service specialists, at a cost of $150,000 a year. It will also serve as a place for officers on patrol to check in, Burgreen said. Hours of operation are still undecided.

The office space, in Gaslamp Court at 739 5th Ave., has been donated for one year by Richard Watson, who owns several properties in the quarter.

“In the past, it has been very difficult to get retailers to come into the quarter because of the perceived crime problems,” Watson said.

“This is a perfect example of what a private citizen can accomplish to fight crime,” said Councilman Uvaldo Martinez, who worked with the police and merchants on establishing the storefront station.