ECHO PARK : Substation’s Delay Frustrates Backers

Police and city officials say the idea of a police substation on Sunset Boulevard is still alive, but community members are becoming increasingly frustrated after nearly three years of delays.

Capt. Dan Schatz, the new commanding officer for the Police Department’s Northeast Division, and a representative of area City Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg said last week that they intend to pursue establishing the substation and will meet with community members.

City officials blamed the delays on a series of changes in the police hierarchy and council representation. Community members have had to pitch the idea anew to each police commander who has taken the Northeast Division helm, as well as to council members who have come in and out of Echo Park through redistricting and elections.

“Each change in guard requires starting from square one again,” said Lisa Sarno, field deputy for Goldberg.

Despite Goldberg’s support, local residents and business owners said they are tired of waiting.

“You get your hopes up so much,” said Bill Nettles, a frustrated Echo Park resident.

“And then it’s like somebody somewhere that you never get to meet says, ‘No.’ ”

At the very least, community members say, they want a simple office-like outpost, where local patrol officers can stop in to write reports and provide a police presence in the neighborhood.

Such an outpost could provide a place where community fingerprinting and crime prevention clinics could be scheduled periodically.

A couple of business owners along Sunset have even offered space.

But community members say the most promising site is the Bank of America branch at Sunset Boulevard and Echo Park Avenue. A portion of the bank that at one time was used for walk-up transactions would be perfect for the police outpost, residents say.

B of A spokesman Charlie Coleman said the bank is willing to offer the space for the police substation.

But a suggestion by some community members and Goldberg to provide a larger substation, equipped with a meeting space for local Neighborhood Watch programs and other groups, has caused a glitch.

Coleman said the bank does not have enough space to provide those services, and police officials have expressed concern about maintenance and liability of such a facility.

Schatz, who came to the Northeast Division two weeks ago, said he has yet to meet with community members to discuss the extent of the services they want. Goldberg’s staff is trying to organize meetings between the community and police, Sarno said.

It all comes down to community commitment for the project, city officials said.

But local residents and business owners said community support is evident in that residents have actively sought sites and gathered volunteers.

They questioned why other neighborhoods have been able to get substations in less time.

Pioneer Market owner Mike Leum opened up some office space in his supermarket at 1625 Sunset Blvd. as a temporary outpost. Patrol officers have been stopping in during the past nine months, Leum said.

“I got frustrated with the red tape. So I offered my space and got a phone line in there,” Leum said. “It doesn’t have the public access to qualify for a substation, but it’s my effort to keep the officers in our area.”

Senior Officer Joe Writer, who regularly patrols the area, expressed hope that the project will progress soon.

“There are a million people out there who would love to volunteer and help us out,” he said.

“It’s been very frustrating, knowing my community has wanted this outpost for three years.”