By GAGE WILSON
Glasgow News 1
The rainy day could not keep the public away from the new substation opening on Park Avenue on Thursday morning. The event opened with Scott Kerley acknowledging outstanding members of the community in the crowd that were present, including CEO of Barren Inc. Maureen Carpenter, Dr. Bharat Mody, and Robert Lessenberry, the owner of the property who is renting the space to Glasgow Police Department for $1 a month.
Glasgow Mayor Henry Royse congratulates officers on community engagement, and thanks all those in attendance. Gage Wilson/Glasgow News 1
Mayor Henry Royse was the first to take the podium.
“This ribbon cutting is a new chapter for the Glasgow Police Department,” he said. “The police department is sworn to protect and serve the community, but also, to servie the neighborhoods. When Chief (Guy) Howie took over, he engaged the officers we have and engaged the problem areas that we have that need more presence.”
With two shootings and several arrests in the area of Park Avenue recently, officers and residents are hoping the substation will provide speedy responses to crime, as officers before would have to drive across Glasgow to get to the location.
GPD Chief Guy Howie speaks to the crowd. Gage Wilson/Glasgow News 1
As Royse finished speaking about the great lengths that GPD went through to get the substation running, he handed the microphone to Chief Howie.
“Thank you all for coming out, today is a big day for your police officers,” Howie said. “Police agencies need to be part of their communities, not an occupying force, and that’s what we are trying to do with this substation.”
The station is designed so that officers in the area can come and go quickly, with all available tools they have at the main station, other than evidence storage.
Chief Howie went on to speak about partnerships, and the importance of trust and respect between officers and the community.
“Anytime you see an officer, and you have a question, talk to them, we are always happy to speak with other members of the community and are happy to help,” he said.
Shelly Vance hands out gifts to attendees at the open house after the ribbon cutting. Gage Wilson/Glasgow News 1
There was an open house after the ribbon-cutting, inviting the public to go through the new station. The department also offered attendees T-shirts, food and, as Howie remarked, the staple food of any police station — donuts.
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