Taking one more step on a quest to establish a visible and accessible presence in all of the major areas of the island, the V.I. Police Department has now christened a police substation in Red Hook.

While officers have already been operating out of the building for nearly a month, last week marked the formal opening of the bureau located in the center of activity of St. Thomas’ bustling East End – home to much of the islands’ boating community, hub of ferry traffic between St. Thomas and both St. John and the British Virgin Islands, and nighttime hotspot for locals and tourists alike.

“The opening of the Red Hook substation at the East End Plaza fulfills a promise I made when I accepted the position of Virgin Islands Police Commissioner,” said Novelle Francis in a statement recently issued from the VIPD.

“It is also the realization of a commitment from the deJongh/Francis administration to expand visible police presence to additional areas of the islands,” he said.

In his remarks, Francis thanked the owner of the East End Plaza, Ricardo J. Charaf, who donated the offices now occupied by the police.

“This commitment on the behalf of the business community reflects the type of partnership we encourage at the VIPD,” Francis said. “Positive changes occur when the community works hand in hand with the police department.”

As he formally opened the doors of the Red Hook station, Francis looked to St. John to share his next bit of good news, announcing a mobile VIPD substation will soon be opened at Coral Bay. No date was set for that opening.