Neighbors React to New Police Substation

By Mark Geary, Reporter

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By Mark Geary

Story Created: Jul 13, 2009 at 8:06 PM CST

Story Updated: Jul 13, 2009 at 9:23 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - Shootings and violence are becoming far too familiar for many in the Wellington Heights and Mound View neighborhoods in Cedar Rapids. Now, Cedar Rapids Police have opened a temporary substation right between the two neighborhoods.

The station at 1500 Second Avenue Southeast is only a temporary step while the city works to open a permanent location about a block away. Neighbors say they're happy to have the extra police presence, but wish it had happened sooner.

Louise Matthews' neighborhood has changed quite a bit in the few years she's lived on Cedar Rapids Southeast side. "It was a nice, quiet little place when I first got down here, but it's not anymore,” southeast side resident Louise Matthews said. She loves to spend time at the park with her grandchildren, but worries about the violent activity going on in the area. "There's a lot of shooting and stuff going on down here. A lot of different people are coming from Chicago and everywhere else. They're gangbangers. We don't need this down here. I left Chicago to get away from this,” Matthews said.

Matthews is happy to hear Cedar Rapids police have opened a substation. It's called the "Community Connection Center."

"This is the first time we've ever tried anything like this in Cedar Rapids in my career. We'll have to wait and see, but I think it does stand a good chance of working,” Cedar Rapids Police Detective Brad Novak said. Detectives and officers hope the new location will rebuild strained relationships with the community. "Years ago when I was a patrolman on the streets, it wasn't unusual to sit and visit with neighbors. Now, they avoid us,” Novak said.

Some people will certainly continue to avoid the police, but many others welcome the extra officers. "With more police being seen passing by and policing the area, it's going to deter some people from doing things they would normally do if there wasn't any police around,” southeast side resident Cleo Washington said.

Matthews just wants to be able to bring her grandchildren to the park without having to worry about their safety.

The substation is open Monday through Friday from 9AM to 5PM. City leaders hope to open the more permanent location within the next few months.

E-mail Mark Geary at Mark.Geary@kcrg.com or follow him on Twitter.

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