What once was a place to serve refreshments during sporting events at Sim Scott Park now serves the public when they need help from the Columbus Police Department.
On Thursday, the building once used as a concession stand at the park was officially dedicated as a new CPD substation, at the corner of Ninth Avenue and 18th Street North.
CPD Chief Joseph St. John, Assistant Chief Joe Johnson, other officers and CPD personnel were in attendance, along with Columbus Mayor Robert Smith, Ward 5 Councilman Kabir Karriem and city Chief Operating Officer David Armstrong.
St. John credited Smith and the City Council for their support of the project, as well as CPD Officer Rhonda Sanders, who worked to see the substation come to fruition.
“I couldn”t think of anyone but Rhonda to work with getting this substation going. I told Kabir that she would be back with us, and she would get on this substation,” said St. John, who wants citizens to know the police department wants to be a part of the community.
“Without the support of the community, we cannot do our jobs. This community cares about its police department,” he said. “We are thankful to have the support of the community, the mayor and our council.”
Sanders said the project has been in the works for a long time.
“I appreciate what everyone has done to make this happen. Everything in this substation has been donated to us by citizens of this community. The only thing the department bought is a television set,” she said.
The department worked with Columbus-Lowndes Recreation Authority personnel to get the building, Sanders noted.
“We gutted everything and got some of the city workers to help clean the building and get it fixed the way it is today,” she said.
The substation has a desk and work area for an officer, with a computer and other equipment. A refrigerator is also in place, as are lamps, chairs and a couch.
“We want this to be a place for officers to come take a break, but we also plan to have the presence of officers here in case there is a hot call in this area, and they can call the narcotics team if there is a drug situation happening,” she said.
The substation is also a place for citizens to talk with police about things going on in their neighborhood.
“We want kids to come here and do their homework if they want to do. We also want the elderly as well as the children to have the assurance there is the presence of police in this area,” she said.
Smith commended the CPD and the community for their support.
“This is a job well done by the chief, Officer Sanders and by the council, especially Councilman Karriem,” he said.
Karriem said establishing a substation in that area was one of his key campaign promises, and he is pleased to see it come through.
“This is a win-win situation for this community as well as the police department. The residents of this neighborhood can have a sense of assurance that they have accessibility to a police officer. An officer will be here every shift,” he said.
Allen Baswell was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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