Open house for Cedar Rapids police substation

The public is invited to attend an open house at the new Cedar Rapids police substation next week.

The open house at the Community Connections Resource Center, 1501 First Ave. SE, runs from 1 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 10. Staff from various city departments and other agencies will be available.

Police led the effort get the new center up and running, and started welcoming visitors into the renovated storefront on Oct. 1. Lt. Chuck Mincks said the primary goal of the center is to reduce crime by establishing a presence in the neighborhood.

Currently, the agencies represented at the center are: Police, fire marshal's office, code enforcement, assisted housing, adult corrections, juvenile probation and the Cedar Rapids Community School District. Officials hope the various agencies will be able to collaborate on crime prevention and quality-of-life issues more easily in the new center.