Hamden Legislative Council Unanimously Approves New Police Substation

The Hamden Legislative Council unanimously approved a new police substation on Dixwell Avenue at Monday night’s meeting.

The substation, with a 10-year lease agreement at $1 annually, will be located on property managed by NeighborWorks New Horizons at 943 Dixwell Avenue and officials are expecting the building to be refurbished and up and running by Jan. 1.

The town previously had a substation at the old Hamden Middle School on Newhall Street but that has been closed for more than a year due to heating issues and disrepair, according to the New Haven Register.

“Re-establishing a police substation at a location that abuts both Dixwell Avenue and the Farmington Canal has great potential,” Hamden Chief Administrative Officer Curt Leng said. “It increases our police presence in an area that has seen some increased negative activity and it allows our officers and residents to get to know one another — one of the most effective ways to reduce crime in the long run.

“Further, increasing Farmington Canal access and presence will be of great benefit.”

Jack Kennelly (D-At-Large), who is chairman of the Public Safety Committee, commended Police Chief Thomas Wydra for “the initiative and diligence with continued efforts to forge ahead in developing the trust and relationships with residents of the community for recognizing the need for police and community partnerships,” according to WTNH.com.

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