Petition Opposes Closing of Substation

Residents say they have 1,800 signatures on a petition requesting that the city not close the west-end police substation, and intend to present the document to the City Council on Monday.

The city is considering closing some substations next year to centralize operations at a single downtown headquarters.

Councilwoman Patricia McGuigan said she requested that the topic be raised for public discussion to let residents air their concerns. She also said Thursday that she will propose a solution to keep the substation open but could not release details yet.

The west-end substation is next to a supermarket at McFadden and Harbor streets.

Local resident Julie Melcher, a member of the west-end community policing board, said she is opposed to the closing and said her concerns are shared by those who signed the petition.

She credited the substation with a decline in the prostitution, drug-dealing and graffiti that have plagued the area in the past. “We don’t have it as bad as it was,” Melcher said.

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Moving Out

Substation closure causing public concern.