Councilman Dave Breitenbucher has a challenge for social media critics that dismiss the idea Manteca needs the new $92 million police station breaking ground this summer.
His challenge? Get out from behind the keyboard and attend the open house Tuesday where law enforcement and city officials while share renderings — inside and out — and how it will more effectively support the department’s ability to serve and protect Manteca’s 97,000 and growing residents.
It isn’t the 4:30 p.m. event in the City Council chambers at 1001 W. Center St. that Breitenbucher believes will change the perspective of critics.
It is what is being offered in conjunction with the open house - officer led tours of the current station next door to the council chambers.
“It’s bad,” Breitenbucher said.
Built in the late 1970s when Manteca had 23,000 residents — not even a quarter of its present population, the aging almost half century old facility has serious space needs, serious security deficiencies for this day and age, infrastructure issues, and more.
The city has been unable to take advantage of technology such as a real time crime center that will be part of the new facility because closets and storage rooms were literally converted into officers more than two decades ago.
The lobby has numerous issues of which the biggest is its size. It is barely big enough to house a full-size Chevy Suburban.
The construction of the new police facility being built in the 600 block of South Main Street will reflect today’s needs and realities, something the current 20,000 square foot or so police station built in the 1970s doesn’t.
Outside building walls as well as security “fencing” employs concrete masonry units (CMU).
Windows are bullet resistant.
It is being done to fortify the police station.
The “it-won’t-happen-here” fantasy that drove some 26 years ago to counter that the current police station that Manteca city leaders in 2000 deemed inadequate in terms of space and functionality was shattered nearly two decades ago with a gunman’s assault on the Ripon Police Department.
The attack, before midnight, was stopped by responding patrol and off-duty officers after the gunman fired into bullet resistant windows in the station occupied at the time by dispatchers and other personnel.
Ripon, just several years prior, had built a new city hall/police station complex that reflected 21st century standards for critical law enforcement structures.
The $92 million includes cutting edge components such as a “Sally Port” that adds to the overall
Being built for the
city’s future needs
The 49,072 square-foot building is designed for a police force of 130 front-line officers and the support staff that they need to be effective.
Currently, the department has 82 authorized positions. They are in the process of hiring three out-of-budget positions to cover staffing gaps created by officers on long-term workmen’s compensation leave.
The new building, unlike the current facility, is being designed with long-term growth in mind.
The initial footprint assumes it will be adequate to cover needs on a 20-year horizon when it comes to growth, once the building is competed.
The design allows the conversion of a sizable courtyard in the center of the station into more office space and facilities.
The new station is being made possible with growth fees collected for police facilities and Measure Q sales tax receipts needed to cover the cost of what is expected to be a 17-year bond.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
