Mayor begins process for new West Somerville police substation

By George P. Hassett

City officials are beginning plans to lease or purchase sites for two police substations – one in East Somerville and one in West Somerville. Last week Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the lease or purchase of a Teele Square site for a West Somerville Neighborhood Police Station. He submitted the RFP to the Board of Aldermen for its approval. The RFP provides flexibility for the actual location but specifies a preference for a site on Broadway to the west of Teele Square, according to city officials.

Curtatone said the substations are part of the bigger plan to reorganize the department and increase community policing.

“The opening of a substation in West Somerville will result in stronger relationships between our officers and the residents they serve, which will lead directly to increased community participation and better results.  Along with the recruitment of additional officers, the appointment of a new chief, upgrades to equipment and training, and a number of other changes, the creation of neighborhood police stations is another tangible indication of the improvements we’re making in our police operations and facilities,” he said.

The opening of a police substation in West Somerville was a recommendation made in 2005 by the Somerville Police Advisory Group, which was convened by Mayor Curtatone in 2004 to assess all aspects of police policies, staffing and operations in Somerville.

Chaired by former Attorney General Scott Harshbarger, the panel offered a wide range of recommendations intended to improve police relations with the community and modernize the department. 

In addition to the substation plan, the advisory group called for expansion of the department, change in outmoded labor practices, and the removal of the position of chief from civil service.  This latter recommendation was approved by the Board of Aldermen in 2006 and the city’s first professional recruitment process for chief resulted in the installation of Anthony Holloway as chief. 

Curtatone also announced that the city will soon begin seeking space on lower Broadway for an East Somerville Neighborhood Police Station.

The West Somerville substation will house officers assigned to operate in that area on a regular basis.  Having officers assigned to a regular beat is a basic tenet of effective community policing, said Holloway.

“When an officer patrols the same area every day, he or she gets to know the people in that neighborhood. It allows the police and the community to work together to identify problems and solutions.  The resulting relationships will serve to strengthen the community and improve the day-to-day lives of our residents.”

Ward 7 Alderman Robert C. Trane said community policing and a new substation in West Somerville will improve the quality of life in the city.

Following Board of Aldermen approval, the RFP will be publicly advertised, and responses will be due in February.  All submissions will be evaluated by a technical advisory committee, with Mayor Curtatone scheduled to make a recommendation to the Board of Aldermen in the spring.

Comments

[What a joke]

This city is 4 freakin' square miles, Boston it ain't or even Lowell. Why don't we save the money we are going to spend renting out these "substations" and with the police officers that we are supposed to staff them with have them actually "walk a beat" in east Somerville, where they are really needed. That is actually how to get to know the residents and "bad actors". What the hell do we need a "substation in West Somerville for, to guard Dilboy Stadium?
This is just a wate of man/women power for political reasons.

How many police officers are they going to use to staff these substations?

[Cosmo]

The City is undermanned - more resources are needed to protect our citizens. This is a step in the right direction. God bless you Mayor!

[Was]

Was it you Cosmo who got lost in Roxbury Christmas Eve? When you where in charge of the youn one.

[Cosmo]

WAS time to lay off the early Friday afternoon sauce!

[Kate]

How is there money to create a sub-station, but not enough money to hire more police officers? Hmmmmm

[Cosmo]

It is a step in the right direction. Thank God we have a Mayor who is dedicated to his community. We need more officers as well.

[What a joke]

These so called sub-stations are going to turn into hang outs for the cops/cruisers patrolling the city. If they do in fact become a reality, there will be less police cars patrolling the city as they, the cops, will have a nice little "club" to visit.

[Cosmo]

I hope so these officers need to warm up, relax and converse like the rest of us. The Mayor knows what is best for his city.

[What a joke]

"I hope so these officers need to warm up, relax and converse like the rest of us."

Are you for real? The last time I looked the cruisers had heaters and if they get too hot in the summer air conditioning.

Relax? Do we want our Police Officers to relax while their is crime to deal with?

Converse? Isn't that what Dunkin Donuts is for.

[What a joke]

"The Mayor knows what is best for "his" city."

I always thought this was "OUR" city!

[Cosmo]

That is correct. Seeing if you are paying attention or even in OUR city. You HATE the Mayor and take gdigs at him whenever possible. The truth is there needs to be a lot of improvement in the police department. The Mayor is trying but guys like you will bitch and moan about anything he tries.

[Wrong]

Cosmo's is Roxbury dont you know it is easy to confuse right Cosmo?

[What a joke]

I don't hate the Mayor. I just think this is a terrible idea and the slim police resources could be better spent elsewhere. This is a democracy you know, or at least it was.

[What a joke]

If this is the Cosmo I think it is.....then I take pity on his soul.

He needs major help.

[WHY?????]

It's interesting to me that once again, the slim resources we have will be going to WEST Somerville, not to EAST Somerville, or even to the existing police station in Union Square! Why would we spend $$ on 'sub-stations' when we are in dire need of a new 'main station'? As was stated above, in 4 square miles you shouldn't need more than 1 station - this is not the 1800's, we have vehicles, not horse carriages! This is absurd. I suspect this mayor is rewarding friends in Ward 7. What a waste of money, and hopefully the alderman will put a stop to this (or Resi Stat - gee, whatever happened to them??).

[Ron Newman]

I don't know whether this is a good idea or not, but the city previously announced their intention to create an East Somerville substation as well.

[Idea Man]

I am in full agreement with the police study. It is a great idea to have some community based sub stations. The only thing I don’t agree with is the RFP for the space to house them. The city has numerous unused properties that can be utilized for such places.

The West Station (lets call it Sector A) could be open tomorrow if they would utilize the empty building right at the Powderhouse rotary. I drive by there several times a day and see cruisers parked there monitoring the traffic. The building is in good condition and once served as the traffic and parking office.

The East Station (Sector B) could be located on the first floor of the old fire station on the corner of Cross street east and Broadway. The front of the building has a huge sidewalk that could survive a curb cut for staggered parking and the side yard could also be paved for additional parking if needed.

The seniors that have functions down there could just as easily use the community room at the VNA or any of the several senior building community rooms for their activities.

I think the city is moving in the right direction on this. They just need to put more thought into it.

Problem? Solution!

[dapper dan]

Hasn't there always been a West Somerville substation...in the parking lot behind the Dilboy Post in Davis Sq?

[He He He]

That's funny, Dapper. You can ALWAYS find a cruiser in the back corner of the Post.

It makes much more sense to have the police substation accessible by the T, so why not look at a store front in Davis Sq? I bet the Antonelli's would be glad to rent to the City.

[Ron Newman]

Personally, I'd rather keep commercial space commercial.

[Bobby T]

It's about time curtatone did something about the policying in this city. Things are starting to get out of hand and lots of people arent aware of what's going on in the city so let me fill you in. Crime is increasing primarily in East Somerville and Winter Hill area. The haitian gang h-block is still causing chaos in the city and blood gangs have since move into east somerville and things are just going downhill so our dear mayor is trying to counter this increase in crime with opening two police station. I dont understand why west somerville has one as if they dont have enough squad cars patrolling in the first place.

[Cosmo]

Bobby T - you are living in Medford. Those of us who live in Somerville understand the problem with East Somerville - and the lack thereof or FEDERAL enforcement of gangs primarily made up of ILLEGAL aliens. The Mayor is trying but what is our congressman doing?