With help from Christiansted’s business community the V.I. Police Department will have a new, albeit small, home in Times Square.
The police department has been without an station in Christiansted for about two weeks since its lease extension at the U.S. Post Office building expired. The Postal Service is turning over the building to the National Park Service so it can be made into a museum.
The department’s new, 400-square-foot space at 35 King St. on Times Square, also known as Sunday Market Square, is being donated by the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development. Renovations and equipment are being provided by the St. Croix Hotel and Tourism Association, businesses and individuals.
"We’re giving the space to the police department for free and doing the renovation work for free," said Stephanie Hodge, associate executive director at the Foundation for Community Development. "It’s just a small space right now. It will basically be a substation. But it addresses an immediate need."
Since the closure of the Anselmo Marshall Command in downtown Christiansted, the police department has been working out of the Patrick Sweeney Headquarters in Golden Grove. The downtown command was a base for 46 officers working various shifts. Acting Police Chief Novelle Francis didn’t immediately return a call Wednesday.
Peter Ross, president of the St. Croix Hotel and Tourism Association, said between $8,000 and $9,000 has already been donated to renovate the new space, located in the building that once housed attorney Winston Hodge’s offices.
"It’s been overwhelming, a totally positive response from the community," Ross said of the monetary support from businesses and individuals. "I’ve been totally blown away by how people have responded."
Ross said renovations — at no cost to the government — will begin this weekend and he hopes to have work done in 10 days.
"Lots of people have volunteered their time in lieu of money," he said.
Ross said that even though the police presence in the downtown area has been sufficient since the Anselmo Marshall Command closed, the new office will allow a constant presence.
"The police are still there to cover downtown," he said. "But this will make it easier and more efficient."
