CRPD substation hopes for expansion

CEDAR RAPIDS– It's been 18-months since the CedarRapids Police Department opened their substation, Community Connections, and they say they're already seen some improvments to the city because of it.

Police reported a decrease in crime for the station's surrounding neighborhoods of Wellingotn Hights and Moundsview.

The sub-station, located at the intersection of First Avenue and 15th Street SE, houses multiple city department subdivisions – including Fire, Housing and Corrections.

Cedar Rapids Police Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said she's been been impressed with the substation's collaboration efforts and would actually like to expand the unit, but can't justify it just yet.

“If money wasn't an issue we would really like to have three different locations,” she said. “We'd have the central district office, we'd have an east office and a west office, but it's that darn thing called money.”

The building that houses Community Connections is actually for sale, but Hamblin said she's hopefull the substation will not have to relocate. City staff have really enjoyed the location and successes they've seen there, she said.