New Northwest Fresno police substation prepares to open

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Fresno Police Department is putting finishing touches on a new substation before it opens next week.

Soon the Northwest Policing District will have a new place to call home.

"Before we had eight sergeants crammed into a space of about five or six, but know we have space for 10," said, Burke Farrah, Northwest Policing District.

That's only one of the new perks that come with the new substation located in the Winepress Shopping Center on Shaw and Marks. Their new facility will also help police officers better reach the district.

"This should improve our response times to calls. And I think our mere presence, in the area of Shaw and Marks, is going to have a positive impact on the businesses along the shopping corridor," said Farrah.

The new station is 10,200 square feet -- 40 percent larger than the last location. Police vehicles will be secured behind the building and for the first time, they'll also have a sign. Plus, they'll also have some of the latest technology.

One of the new features specific to this station is this Keyper System key machine. It allows the police department to manage their fleet, by checking out keys, which can be done via a thumbprint or by putting a code, and a camera will capture who checks keys out.

The Police Department also wants to share the new facility with the public through a community conference room.

"We do want to open that room up to neighborhood watch groups, community groups. I would love to have a dozen Cub Scouts come in there for their den meeting," said Burke.

On Wednesday, the public, along with police, will finally get to experience the new station.