OXNARD : Residents Hear Plans for Police Storefront

A small group of residents from Oxnard’s Southwinds neighborhood gathered Thursday to learn about plans for a storefront police station in its area.

Oxnard Police Chief Harold Hurtt told the residents that the storefront, which officials expect to open in July or August, will not work without their help, including volunteers to staff the mini-station.

“You’re going to have to buy into helping us out,” Hurtt told the group of about 20 residents at the Skate Palace on Hueneme Road, which is next to the 1,600-square-foot space where the storefront will be located.

Maureen Finlay, president of the Southwinds Neighborhood Council, said Thursday’s low turnout was a sign that people are afraid to call police.

But she said residents hope the storefront, which will be funded with money from the Oxnard Redevelopment Agency, will provide some stability.

Oxnard Lt. Joe Munoz also was optimistic. “Once these guys actually start walking the beat, we’re going to see a lot more visible support,” he said.

In the past decade, Southwinds residents have seen police chase drug dealers and prostitutes from their neighborhood, only to watch the area fall back into decay.

Hurtt warned residents that because officers will be “aggressively enforcing the law,” there are likely to be complaints of harassment by the police, especially from youths.

To counter those complaints, Hurtt urged residents to write to City Council members in support of the officers.

In addition to enforcement, Hurtt said the officers will try to start a Police Activity League recreation program for youths.

Police plan to begin walking patrols in the area about July 1, although the storefront itself may not be open by then. When it opens, officers will be assigned to the storefront from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., although those hours may be adjusted later, Hurtt said.