The last time there was a police sub station near the Plant City Housing Authority district was in 2006. It was located on Alabama Street.
Ten years later, Pat Dexter is bringing it back. The executive director of the Plant City Housing Authority took over earlier this year, and the sub station is one of her first efforts in working to keep the community safe.
A grand opening for the substation, located at 513 S. Maryland Ave., will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 27. Refreshments, face painting and an inflatable bounce house all will be available for attendees in the open field area next to the substation.
“It’s been in the works for a while now,” Dexter said. “It’s an ongoing effort of keeping the community safe … for our citizens.”
The substation will be manned by officers from the Plant City Police Department, including Officer Priscilla Clark, who works in the nearby downtown district. She will serve as the main point of contact for the substation.
Though hours for the substation have not yet been finalized, more security will be added during peak times, such as on major holidays.
The substation will serve as a resource for the 200 public housing units in Plant City, as well as a safe space for residents to report crime or suspicious ongoings anonymously. The substation was created out of an existing two-bedroom unit in the Maryland Heights district. The unit includes a kitchen, a children’s area and a privacy room for interrogation.
“It gives our police accessibility,” Dexter said. “The presence of a police car carries a lot of weight and visibility. With privacy, people feel more comfortable since that’s in their neighborhood.”
Getting Back on Track
Dexter first joined the Plant City Housing Authority 14 years ago. At that time, she said, the police substation was not utilized. This time, she feels that the substation is just one step in becoming more proactive.
“We just felt that it was time,” Dexter said. “We were aware of certain issues, which made us feel it was time to partner with the Plant City Police Department again. Chief (Ed) Duncan is instrumental. We’re the liaison between the resource and the general public.”
Dexter said the Plant City Housing Authority has plans to look into starting other programs, including a neighborhood watch program, a home ownership program and financial management classes.
“Our goal is to promote from subsidized to non-subsidized,” Dexter said. “This has been a transition year. We do not know where this is going to take us, but we know it’s going to be positive. It’s new, innovative and positive.”
The first step toward that goal, Dexter said, is bridging any gaps that may exist between the general public and the police.
“We love the police. We need the police,” Dexter said. “We’re asking for their help.”
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.