Spartan Echo

Section: News

Courtesy of NSU Media Relations, Future image of NSU police station slated to open February 2008.

The Norfolk State University Police Department will soon be located in a new building adjacent to Scott Dozier Dining Hall.

The NSU police staff is currently working out of three trailers that are on the side of Brown Memorial Hall.

The new building is needed because the trailers are run down and there is not enough space for the police force to operate, said Anton Kashiri, associate vice president for Facilities Management at NSU.

The cost for the new police station is $4.85 million, and is being funded by the state said Kashiri.

The new facility will consist of administrative offices, training rooms, an emergency command center, judiciary hearing room, parking offices, equipment and evidence areas, and a dispatch and camera monitoring center.

The building will be 21,500 square feet and two floors, said Kashiri.

The first floor will include a dispatch center, a secured authorized area to monitor cameras on campus, a command center or roll call room where officers will receive instructions for shifts, and a training room adjacent to roll call room.

Also on the first floor, there will be a 24-hour generator for emergencies, a property and evidence room, an equipment room, an armory, a report writing room, a locker room and a workout fitness center for police personal only.

The second floor will include offices, a conference room, a command center used for emergency situations, investigation areas, and judicial hearings.

Theodore Price, lieutenant at the NSU police force, believes that the new facility will be positive not only for the officers, but for NSU as a whole.

"We have been marinating in three trailers for four years," said Price. "This will enhance our image and we will be able to give better service. I am ecstatic."

The new police station is slated to open in February 2008.

Carl Burt, police chief for the NSU police force, said they choose the location for the new building because of its visibility and presences on campus.

"We looked at five different sites for the new police station. We settled upon that site because of the ease and visibility to students, staff, and visitors. The general site provided us with the ideal location," said Burt. "The ease of access to other parts of campus and presences it will have factored as well."

Deaisha Kelley, a NSU junior majoring in hospitality and tourism, is concerned that the new building will limit the amount of the parking spaces for commuter students.

"It's good for our safety, but it wasn't a smart decision for parking because parking on campus is already limited. To take away 50 plus parking spaces, it makes it worse for commuter students," said Kelley.

Burt said one of the areas for additional parking will be where the police station is currently located, and eventually a new parking garage.

Isaac Farmer, a senior majoring in optical engineering and mathematics, feels the new police station is great for the students.

"It may cut down on crime and it can make the students feel more secure. With more security, it will make students feel at home and it will make students interact more on campus," said Farmer.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools