Rochester, N.Y. – City Council will vote this week on locating a police substation inside the Sibley Building.
The 10-year-lease would cost about $1 million. The substation would be staffed by 40 officers. The Sibley Building was recently sold and the new owners plan a major upgrade of the facility. Its major tenant is Monroe Community College, which has complained about safety issues and plans to move out.
The city used to have a downtown police station, but it was disbanded when the department shifted to an East-West patrol model in 2004.
Mayor Tom Richards and Police Chief James Sheppard have said they want a larger, more permanent police presence downtown. The area does not have a high crime rate, but the needs of bus riders, visitors, businesses and workers are seen as needing special attention.
