Precinct

the way it looks and how it will benefit this end of the county,” Heiskell said during ribbon cutting ceremonies. “Chris, thanks for caring.”

Carlton, who built the office complex in 2000, said the 800-square-foot space had been empty for about three or four months.

“Having a precinct is something people — and business tenants — talk about as a positive for the community,” he said.

The precinct’s location permits deputies to quickly and efficiently respond to Ridgeland High and other nearby schools, as well as communities in Rossville, Flintstone, Fairview, Chickamauga, Chattanooga Valley and Lookout Mountain.

Deputy Bruce Coker, who serves as Ridgeland’s school resource officer, said some of the older vehicles in the department fleet will be restationed to the Wilson Road facility.

“Both as a visible deterrent and

to use as backups — saves us having to drive to LaFayette if a car breaks down,” he said. “We’ll also be able to use this as a staging area during inclement weather events.”

Eliminating the need to drive to LaFayette for accident reports should make the process more people-friendly, particularly for seniors, and should make it easier for witnesses — or victims — to file police reports and be interviewed, Coker said.

Another benefit to having a physical precinct in the northwestern end of the county will be its availability during the Christmas season to accept and store donations to the annual Stocking Full of Love, he said.

Jim Hall, a Wilson Road Neighborhood Group spokesman, thanked the sheriff, the commissioner and everyone involved in bringing the dream of a satellite sheriff’s office to life.

“When the citizens and government work together, we can make change happen,” Hall said. “Have your voice heard. It’s time to protect and build pride in Rossville and Chattanooga Valley as home.”