HUNTINGTON PARK : Salt Lake Park Gets Police Substation
Salt Lake Park will be safer now that the Police Department has opened a substation there, officials said.
Two full-time officers have been assigned to the substation, located in a recreation building, in an effort to rid the park of drug dealers, gangs and transients, officials said.
Police began the program Dec. 1. About two weeks later the substation had its grand opening.
A park substation had been high on the community wish list, Councilman Raul Perez said. Drug sales in the park had become so blatant that “no one could walk around there without being offered a few grams,” he said.
Police Chief Frank Sullivan said: “We’ve had ongoing enforcement at the park, but every time we drive (them) away, the problems would come back. Now, we’re there to stay.”
Salaries for the additional officers will be paid from $82,000 raised through a utility users tax passed by the city last year, Sullivan said.
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