Neighbors react to police dept. move

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) --- - After 15 years, the FWPD is planning to move out of southeast Fort Wayne. Neighbors know it will mean a big change, but some tell NewsChannel 15 it doesn't have to be a change for the worse.

"Well, they gotta do what they gotta do," says Eden Green resident Cammie Ray. "It's part of improvement or whatever."

Ray has lived in the area for 30 years. She's spent the last seven living in Eden Green Apartments directly across the street from the station.

She says police station next door or not, she won't feel any less safe.

"People are going to do what they do," Ray told NewsChannel 15."[The police] just got to keep up, you know, the job, what they're supposed to do, protect and serve the citizens, no matter where they're at."

But, after being at the Creighton location since 1994, others living nearby have lots of questions about what the change could mean for them and the area.

"What are they going to do with that building? How is that going to affect the coverage we've had so far, as far as the police being close to us, if we had a call, they were here like that," questions nearby resident Becky Woodson.

Association President of Renaissance Pointe Anthony Ridley's happy to hear the move will save some taxpayer money, and have other potential benefits for the new housing development.

But Ridley says he'd like to see some kind of plan to maintain police presence in his neighborhood.

"By moving the police station, maybe getting rid of that building, and maybe using the old Fort Wayne YMCA as a substation for police, I don't think it will take too much away from the area," Ridley explained.

The police department was forced to relocate back in 1994 due to a lack of space. Back then, the decision was spearheaded by retired Fort Wayne police chief Neil Moore. Tuesday he told NewsChannel 15 another move is long overdue.

"We conducted that move knowing that in about 10 years, we were going to have to look for something else," explained Moore. "Here they are, almost 15 years out now and they have no room left in that building whatsoever. It's filled to the rafters.

Moore says a move downtown will be positive, especially if the department considers using various police substations throughout the city.

"There are benefits to having your offices in close proximity to the remaining halls of government," said Moore.

City leaders are still working out what will happen to the Creighton building.

Mayor Henry says there will be a police substation set up in the area to fill the void once the Creighton headquarters are vacant.