By Adam Studzinski
BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington police are planning to lease a building from Mid Central Community Action on West Jefferson Street to create a police substation.
Police Chief Brendan Heffner said it’s a way to be out in the community more than officers already are.
“Officers can not only stop by there for breaks, to do work, or just engage citizens,” said Heffner. “They can also go over there, park, be able to walk around in the area.”
PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with Sonny Garcia of Black Lives Matter
The city plans to lease the building for $12 per year.
“I’ve heard that there are neighbors in that community, or citizens, that are really looking forward to us being over there and we’re glad,” Heffner said.
The City Council will vote on the deal on Monday.
A local group of the Black Lives Matter movement is asking the city delay action until there’s been an opportunity for the public to weigh in. The group said the city would be imposing an increased police presence on the neighborhoods and violating any commitment to community policing.
“With many in West Bloomington concerned about the disproportionate police presence in their neighborhood, there is clearly no consensus that a substation would be welcome,” the group said in a news release.
Black Lives Matter Bloomington-Normal will hold a meeting with Heffner at 7 p.m. Thursday at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. The group said the meeting is an attempt to hold the police department accountable to establishing community policing practices that bring residents into the decision making process when it comes to how police operate in our neighborhoods.
Mid Central Community Action said Thursday afternoon five resident surveys have been done since 2012 to gauge what residents think about their neighborhood and community. The 2014 survey showed 44 percent of residents asked for increased safety and law enforcement presence. Representatives from MCCA plan to speak at Monday’s meeting.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at adam.studzinski@cumulus.com.
