Columbia police moving into duplex on McKee Street

Columbia police officers with the Community Outreach Unit are on the move. City council approved a request Monday to move the police northeast substation from the Indian Hills subdivision to the corner of McKee Street and Orchard Lane.

“This allows us to be in the area where things have happened and have an immediate response,” said Community Outreach supervisor Sgt. Mike Hestir.

According to Hester, there has been a recent spike of crimes in the area. Last September, Columbia police responded to a homicide just yards from the park.

“I think having officer in the neighborhood ready to respond is definitely a deterrent to crime,” he said.

Hestir also said he thinks it would be more efficient.

“Not wasting gas, not wasting time,” Hestir said. “Having a substation in our assigned area lets us stay in the area so that our response times stay brief instead of wasting that 20 minutes driving back and forth to the CPD.”

Residents who have concerns are welcome to stop by the substation to ask questions or get to know the officers.

Third Ward Councilman Karl Skala, who lives just a few blocks away from the new location, said he is pro-McKee Street.

“This is a really good area for the police to have a community policing presence,” he said. “I think it’s even better than the one that they left.”

Officers haven’t fully moved in yet, but will be in the process over the next few weeks.

Hestir had this message for the community:

“We’re here to meet you and help you,” he said. “We look forward to becoming neighborly and becoming a part of the neighborhood.”

According to a staff memo, the rent is $400 a month plus electric and gas, and will be paid using existing budgeted police operating funds.