Ventura Police Choose Location for Downtown Substation

After a three-month search, the Ventura Police Department has found a home for a substation in downtown Ventura, officials announced Tuesday.

The substation, the fourth in the city, will be housed in a former bead shop at 309 E. Main St. Ventura police now operate substations in Montalvo, on Ventura Avenue and in Ventura Harbor Village.

Although a contract between the property owner and the Police Department has not been signed, police officials said Tuesday that they expect an agreement to be complete by late November.

“We are in the process of writing up a contract,” said Terri Vujea, one of two officers who will operate the storefront substation.

Ventura police have been searching for a downtown location since July but ran into trouble cementing a deal.

Property owners have donated office space for the other substations. But because police wanted a prominent storefront on either Main or California streets, officials could not find anyone willing to give away office space.

Enthusiastic property owners offered a vacant lot and office space in the back of a store, but “it just didn’t fit the bill,” Vujea said.

Police were hoping for a spot in the 300 block of Main Street, since about 16% of their calls for service in the downtown area originate there, officials said.

As result, the Police Department needs to find a way to pay $650 rent each month. In addition, police must fund start-up costs to make the now-vacant space usable.

Officials have estimated annual costs to be about $8,000.

Downtown business owners, who have pushed for a substation to deter panhandling, thefts and public disturbances, have pledged $1,000 to get the storefront operational through the Downtown Ventura Assn.

Private donations and a recent fund-raiser garnered an additional $1,200.

The Times has pledged $2,000--$1,000 upfront and another $1,000 in matching fees if downtown residents meet the pledge in $25 increments, officials with the newspaper’s Ventura County Edition said Tuesday.

The Downtown Ventura Assn. is planning a series of fund-raisers to drum up financial support for the storefront, association President Tim O’Neil said. “I think the matching funds will come.”

Police will pay the salaries of the two officers with a three-year $225,000 federal grant and $396,000 in city funds. Hours and days of operation are still uncertain.

Located in an aging beige stucco building, the new storefront will occupy about 1,100 square feet, sandwiched between two antique stores located two doors from the Metro Nite Club.

Downtown business owners are eager for the officers to move in and said Tuesday they hope the substation will help deter crime.

“I think it’s a great deal,” said Jack Davis, owner of Beat City Records, also in the 300 block of Main Street. “I think people should feel comfortable down here. It’s been scummy for a long time.”