Go slowly on new PBPD location

To the Editor:

I completely agree with the editorial about carefully exploring all options for a new location for the city police department. An important decision such as this has dramatic effects on the community at large as well as the taxpayers' purse. Citizens should have input into the process and perhaps feedback could be obtained through public meetings and open forums with the police department and representatives of the City Council.

One idea that could be researched is the concept of a small main police station with several smaller substations located in each quadrant of our community. Similar to the fire substations we now have in Poplar Bluff, police substations are used in many progressive cities. Having police substations would be beneficial for several reasons. First, police response would be quicker to violent situations, disasters, or terrorist threats because of closer geographic proximity by the police in all areas. All citizens deserve a right to police protection, yet we must think carefully about areas where there are increased risks to vulnerable populations and where police protection and action should be swift. For example, the east side of the city encompasses the Twin Towers where over 100+ elderly and/or disabled persons reside, Lake Road Elementary School, nursing homes, as well as the Community Supervision Center where parolees live. The south side of our city has Eugene Field Elementary and the Head Start where hundreds of children are housed. The Main St. area contains Wilson Apartments for the elderly, various nursing homes, shelters for homeless and domestic abuse, Private Probation, etc. The west side of our community contains the hospital, TRC, and several school buildings while O'Neal School, several nursing homes, etc. lie in the north section. Although, more crimes may be committed along the 67 Highway corridor, we must question what type of crimes these are (i.e. shoplifting, etc.) and how dire the immediate police response must be. Secondly, prudent taxpayers should consider that transportation costs could be saved by eliminating unnecessary mileage incurred by having only one police station responding to all areas. By having police protection spread out all over the community, prevention of crime will be enhanced by the mere presence of law enforcement officers. Finally, by having law enforcement in substations, closer and more positive connections will be shared by officers and citizens.

Having the Police Station located on campus at Three Rivers is another suggestion that has been made. I would be concerned because the roads and access to the college do not support high speeds that officers must use when responding to crisis situations. There are also no traffic signals at the PP/Kanell Blvd. intersection or the Westwood Blvd. intersection where police could be exiting. Many serious accident have occurred at both of these locations, and the college has tried to get traffic signals installed at these areas for many years. At many times of the day, large lines of traffic are exiting from the college on all roads and could tie up officers trying to respond. If safety concerns such as these could be addressed, perhaps one of the substations could be located in the vicinity.

Perhaps the city could utilize the Black River Coliseum to house one of the substations. The police station was housed across from the Coliseum in the past. The Coliseum has many empty rooms that are used occasionally for events; however, perhaps the taxpayers would reap more of a benefit if it were used in this manner. Rather than invest millions of dollars in constructing a new building, we should question all of the options. We should also consider the resources that the city owns rather than purchasing additional land for construction. For instance, the city presently owns land for all parks in the north, south and east sections of Poplar Bluff. A substation would not have to consume all of the park's area. In addition, police presence where large groups of people and children congregate would be beneficial, making these safer places for families. With today's technology along with increased threats in our nation, is one building what this city needs? Many questions must be asked and answered before a decision is made.

Donna Davis

Poplar Bluff, Mo.