RCMP station opens in North Preston

NORTH PRESTON — Heavy rain on Wednesday afternoon couldn’t dampen the spirits of nearly 100 North Preston community members as they gathered together at the opening of their first RCMP station.

“It makes me feel safer,” said resident Marva Fairfax on having Halifax RCMP officers nearby.

“They’re right here. You know where they are.”

Cpl. Calvin Byard, commander for the new Preston Unit, said a RCMP presence in the area has been “in the works” for the past three years or so.

“You’ll have police officers able to investigate things right within the community, and not have to take the person, or the investigation, outside to complete it,” Byard said.

The new detatchment, which is attached to the North Preston Community Centre, will also serve East Preston, Cherry Brook and Lake Loon citizens.

North Preston has had multiple incidents of violent crime in recent years, most recently the shooting death of 23 year- old Narico Downey in July.

But Byard said since working in the area he hasn’t seen any issues to give Preston a bad name.

“There’s some very good people here in this community,” he said.

— Haley Ryan/Metro Halifax