Oct. 25, 2006 — Good cheer abounded in Coral Bay Wednesday as government officials broke ground on a much-needed Police Department substation for Coral Bay.
The substation will sit between the fire station and the Skinny Legs Bar and Restaurant complex on the main road through Coral Bay.
"The substation will serve as a headquarters to assert the rule of law," Gov. Charles Turnbull said to the more than 30 people gathered under a white tent for the event.
Coral Bay had only sporadic police presence — thanks to officers sent out from the Cruz Bay station — until rising crime forced the Police Department last year to open a temporary substation at Cocoloba shopping center in Coral Bay.
Turnbull spoke about the Coral Bay area's rapid growth over the past decade, a fact that has brought plusses and minuses to this booming area.
"Public safety has been a challenge," he said.
Construction is expected to start on the 800-square-foot building as soon as the permit process is finished. Police Commissioner Elton Lewis said permits are in the works. In addition to building permits, the project needs a Coastal Zone Management permit because it sits in the first tier.
Lewis said the building will cost $512,000, which he said was already encumbered for the construction. Bryan Chick Construction Service is the contractor.
"I hope we don't have any change orders," he said.
Sen. Roosevelt David pulled aside reporters after the ceremony to point out that he got the ball rolling by sponsoring legislation to fund the first $250,000 of the project in 2002. The money came from the St. John Capital Improvement Fund.
John's Folly resident Alvis Christian — who wears many hats in the St. John community, including V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency deputy director and director of the John's Folly Learning Institute — spoke on behalf of those who live in Coral Bay.
Christian had nice words for St. John Administrator Julien Harley and Deputy Police Chief Angelo Hill for their efforts in listening to what residents had to say at public meetings on crime issues.
"They took the brunt. I thank them for their patience and diligence," he said.
Lewis said it was not possible to determine how many people will staff the substation because it depends on how many officers are available.
Territorial Police Chief Novelle Francis urged men and women considering a career in law enforcement to sign up now so they could be trained in time for what he anticipated would be a June 2007 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new building.
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