Police Storefront to Remain Open
Putting to rest fears it might have to move, the Ventura Police Department’s Montalvo storefront will remain open for the foreseeable future, Chief Richard Thomas announced Thursday.
The Montalvo storefront, at 6368 Bristol Road, has been open since 1993. But in January the Bristol Center owners, who have donated the storefront space since its opening, notified police that they had an opportunity to rent the space. They offered the Police Department a smaller office as a replacement.
After surveying community needs and exploring other possible sites in east Ventura, police held a town hall meeting March 7 at Montalvo School.
More than 100 residents turned out to ask the officers to stay. Bristol Center owners, also present, announced they would not force the storefront to move.
“The landlords have been extremely generous to us over the last few years,” Thomas said. “We did not want to abuse that generosity.” He said police were overwhelmed by the community’s response and that he appreciates the center owners’ continued financial commitment.
Since the Montalvo storefront opened, calls for police services and reported crimes have decreased, police said. Storefront Officer Steve Ramirez supervises a number of programs, including a landlords’ group, child fingerprinting and a tutoring program for elementary school students.
Anyone interested in volunteering at the Montalvo storefront may call 339-2910.
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