LAKEPORT — The Lake County Sheriff”s Department is exploring the possibility of putting a substation in Lucerne.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors approved an agreement at its Tuesday meeting that gives the county redevelopment agency (RDA) the option to buy two adjoining parcels.
The land is along Highway 20 at Seventh Avenue, between the highway and the Northshore Fire Protection District”s Lucerne station. Lake County Sheriff Rodney Mitchell told the board that the location was “optimal.” Mitchell cited a need to distribute his deputies throughout the county by establishing three operation areas ? the main office on Martin Street in Lakeport, the proposed substation in Lucerne and another that has not yet materialized in Middletown.
The discussion was handled in two parts, the first without Mitchell because he had not initially been invited to speak on the item before the board. Chairman Jeff Smith expressed reservation about using redevelopment money to buy the two parcels.
“I can”t see a lot of time being spent by the sheriff”s deputies in the office,” Smith said. Smith said he also knew that the sheriff”s department had a substation on the second floor of the visitor”s center in Lucerne.
Redevelopment agency executive director Kelly Cox said the proposed substation complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and that it was more visible, partly because of its proximity to the fire station. “This location is so much more highly visible with regard to having an impact on the community,” Cox said. He added that the sheriff”s department would apply for funds to foot half of the bill for the purchase.
The asking price is $300,000, according to Cox”s memo to the board. The proposed substation lies in District 3 Supervisor Rushing”s district. “This was something that citizens said they wanted at the town hall in Lucerne and on the community survey ? they said they need more law enforcement in the town,” Rushing said. “They are asking for visibility, particularly in that area between Eighth and Ninth streets by the park.”
The board tabled the discussion in order to contact Mitchell and give him time to come to the courthouse and offer his input.
District 4 Supervisor Anthony Farrington asked if crime statistics made the Lucerne station a priority over establishing one in Middletown. Mitchell said, “It”s not just county statistics, but the implications of community growth in the Middletown area are so significant that I would want to do that area first.”
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
