SANTA ANA : New Type of Police Substation to Open

The Police Department today will open a new kind of police substation that will provide a full range of police services to residents living near Harbor Boulevard and Edinger Avenue.

“This is an expanded version of the substations we’ve had in the past, which have basically been storefronts,” Police Chief Paul M. Walters said.

The Westend District Office, an expanded version of a smaller substation that opened in the area five years ago, will have a staff of 35 officers, including detectives and traffic officers.

Traditionally, officers assigned to work out of a substation report to work at the city’s main station in the downtown area to change into uniform and attend roll call. West end officers will report to their substation directly.

“The substation concept is really trying to put the police services out into the community so they are more accessible,” Walters said. “Part of our policing philosophy is to work closer with other community-based organizations and it definitely helps when you’re out there in the community.”

If the west end substation is successful, the department will consider opening similar facilities in other parts of the city, Walters said.

The substation’s opening will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to a ribbon-cutting ceremony, other events include Police Department tours, canine demonstrations and SWAT team displays. Free children’s fingerprinting for identification purposes will be offered.

The substation is at 724. S. Harbor Blvd.