City plans to reopen APD substation in Old Town
Move is part of an effort to have stronger police presence
Albuquerque police will reopen the department’s Old Town substation, which officials said is part of an effort to have a stronger police presence in some of the most visited spots in the city.
Police Chief Michael Geier said the substation at Central and Rio Grande first opened in 2001 but it hasn’t housed officers for several years. Starting today, there will be at least one civilian employee or an officer inside whenever the building is open to take police reports. And some officers in the Valley Area Command, which includes Downtown and Old Town, will base out of the substation, he said.
“We’re going about our business in a little different way,” Geier said. “If we want public safety and community policing to be our top priorities then we have to be creative about getting officers out there.”
So far this year, Mayor Tim Keller has announced that police will open three substations. One is in the Nob Hill and University area, one Down-
town and the building near Old Town. He said that the city wanted to have the Old Town substation opened for Balloon Fiesta because many people visit there during the fiesta.
Geier said the plan is for the Old Town substation to be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the weekends. But he said those times could change depending on when officers are needed in the area.
He encouraged people who live or work in the area to stop by the substation so they could meet some of the officers.
George Griego, the owner of Central Grill and Coffee House, said the reopening of the substation is a welcomed sight for business owners and people who live in the area.
“All you hear about is us being No. 1 in crime and all these crazy things going on all the time,” he said. “To actually see things happening ... I think that’s really important.”