The new Downtown Community Policing Office has opened on Front Street in Belleville.
During a Thursday afternoon ceremony, the ribbon was cut and the office was officially opened at its location at 211 Front Street, near the intersection with Bridge Street.
The space serves as a base for officers patrolling in the downtown area. The office space will allow officers to fill out required forms and paperwork without having to return to the main police station on College Street East. The office will be open to officers to use 24/7, and available to the public by appointment.
The office includes street parking reserved for one police vehicle, and workstations designed to connect to the patrol officers’ phones and laptops.
Acting Belleville Police Chief Chris Barry said that having the downtown office will promote more face to face interaction between the police and the public.
“Statistically, we can show that we have a safe downtown,” said Acting Chief Barry. “It’s still reassuring for people to be able to see uniform officers and uniform auxiliary officers and volunteers coming in and out of this facility, see a police cruiser out front.”
Chair of the Belleville Police Services Board, Councillor Tyler Allsopp, was happy to see the office open.
“It brings that police presence back into downtown,” said Councillor Allsopp, “We’ve always been here, but having that more visible spot, with the signage, with the cruiser out front, I think it does a lot in terms of providing security that the public is looking for and really underscores our commitment to having a safe and vibrant downtown.”
The office was fully funded by community partners of the police, and the operating cost of the space for the first year will not come from the police budget.
Belleville Police officers Crawford and Woodcock stand outside the new downtown police office. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele, Quinte News.
