New Milford turns train station into police substation
NEW MILFORD — In an effort to improve policecommunity relations, the New Milford Police Department is has turned the downtown railroad station into a police substation and tapped one of its newest cops to serve as a community resource officer.
Officer John Toromanides — known as “Officer Toro” — will work out of the newly renovated substation on
Railroad Street as the department’s community policing officer. Toromanides was sworn in as a New Milford police officer last month.
Chief Spencer Cerruto said the purpose of the downtown substation and having a community resource police officer stationed there is to create a convenient way for citizens and police to connect.
“I believe in a community policing philosophy, and this is a way for the police to connect with the community — being visible and approachable is invaluable towards improving communications and the services we offer our community,” Cerruto said.
As the community resource officer, Toromanides’ main objectives will include connecting with citizens, fostering positive relationships, attending community events and planning events like Coffee with a Cop.
He will also handle any regular police calls for service in the downtown district, walk the beat and “be accessible to the community as a resource for whatever their needs may be,” Cerruto said.
Toromanides will be the primary officer assigned to the substation, but residents may see other officers and police department employees there as well.
“The substation is a place where I want citizens to feel comfortable stopping by to speak to the officer or just stop in to have a cup of coffee,” Cerruto said.
The substation will be open 40 hours a week, and Cerruto said an outside police globe light above the front door will generally indicate whether someone is inside.
Cerruto said renovating and utilizing the unused space inside New Milford’s former train station was an idea he considered for some time before turning the idea into action.
Renovation of the substation started about a year ago with help from the New Milford Youth Agency, the New Milford Facilities Department and Home Depot.
“Home Depot gave us a grant for painting supplies and assisted by putting up blinds and shelves, and we worked with the New Milford Youth Agency to paint the interior,” Cerruto said.
He said the town’s facilities department refinished the floors, moved furniture and helped out with other tasks.
A ribbon-cutting is set for Saturday afternoon at the substation.