Ridgefield Press
POLICE: Headquarters will open Saturday for tours

May 1, 2008

The Ridgefield police station will be open to tours this Saturday morning, May 3.

The annual budget referendendum, which will probably take place May 13, will ask voters to approve $4 million to enlarge the police station.

It would be the first major change to the station since the Ridgefield police moved into the 116-year-old, former house 32 years ago.

Saturday’s guided tours will run from from 9:30  to 11:30 a.m.

“Anyone interested in attending the tour must be capable of climbing three flights of stairs,” Police Chief Richard Ligi warned.

Chief Ligi said the tours are part of an effort to inform the voters about the police station and why the department is seeking the expansion.

There have been requests from the public that the department open the building to tours so voters can see the current conditions that the department proposes to improve.

Chief Ligi and the commission have complained that the building lacks space. In 1976 when the police moved in, they had 30 officers, three civilian employees, and a lot less equipment to deal with. There are now 43 officers, a half dozen civilians, and a lot more gear, including all sorts of computers.

The addition would provide three floors plus basement and an elevator, with space for central dispatching, more locker room area, offices, and storage. Voters approved $420,000 for the plans last May.

 The department is also putting together “an on-line virtual reality tour of the facility,” a video that should be accessible via the TheRidgefieldPress.com after May 5.

“The Police Commission Building Subcommittee members are planning to submit an op-ed commentary for the May 8 issue of the Ridgefield Press,” the chief added.

© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers