WALLINGFORD, Conn. — As people in Wallingford walked up to these double doors and tugged on the handle, they'd realize that the building that's always open for the community was closed for the first time in a long time.
They'd then see a sign informing them that the building that occupied their local police department for four decades would be no longer serving that purpose, as the headquarters moved to a state of the art location with more space and technological improvements.
"Forty years is a long time to be in one building without significant expansion and improvements," said Wallingford resident Mary Jane Chicoski. "I'm sure they've outlasted this facility."
When Chicoski heard about the news, she was thrilled that not only the department was getting an upgrade, but they were also moving closer to her neighborhood.
"I've lived down north farms road all my life, and they're just going to be one mile away," said Chicoski. "I feel very safe, we are welcoming them."
But not everyone is jumping for joy at the new move. Facebook users took to social media to express feelings of uneasiness with being downtown, with one user saying, "Awesome but bittersweet. Downtown pedestrians will certainly miss the feeling of safety that the police presence there provided."
Chicoski, however, isn't worried the move will affect their ability to respond to calls.
"Where they are located, they'll be very close to 68, one mile away from I-91, half a mile from Route 15," said Chicoski. "A lot of the crimes that have been happening are in stores; now they'll have quick access."
Mayor Vincent Cervoni confirms that the move will have no impact on response time effectiveness.
"For decades, our police have been on mobile patrols," said Cervoni. "They are not on call dispatched from the building; they are dispatched from their vehicles while on patrol. The response time to calls is not going to be increased as a result of the move."
The new facility also is in a more central location.
"The new facility will have much quicker access to the west side of town now." said Cervoni. "Certainly in a more central location."
Officer Alex Torres with the Wallingford Police Department said there have been talks of installing a substation downtown to help ease any concerns for people that love or frequent that area of Wallingford.
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