HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- In response to increased crime in Huntington's Fairfield neighborhood, officers aren't just heavily patrolling the area -- they're planning to set up shop there.
It's called a police field office, and it will bring much more than just law enforcement to an ailing neighborhood in a familiar building that was a former childcare facility.
The site of the former Barnett Child Care Center, the building is just a shell of what it once was and in need of a lot of tender loving care. For decades, the building at the corner of Hal Greer Boulevard and 10th Avenue housed the childcare facility, which provided assistance to thousands of low-income families needing care for their young children.
Last year, however, the daycare closed and the building was nearly gutted. Now, there's a new dawn for a building in dire need of a new look and a new mission.
Tim White is the newly named director of Weed and Seed. He'll be based at the city's new police field office. Weed and Seed is funded through federal grants to curb crime.
The designated area in the Fairfield area goes from 8th Street to 28th Street and from 2nd Avenue to 13th Avenue. Area-wise, it's 7 percent of the city with 20 percent of the total population but responsible for more than 60 percent of violent crimes.
“It makes sense to put those officers in the neighborhood they’ll be working,” Huntington Police Chief Skip Holbrook said.
But the new police field office will offer more than a hub for police officers, it will establish a relationship that's long overdue.
“We want to establish a relationship where folks feel comfortable coming in and making reports and getting to know the officers,” Holbrook said.
“We’ve started job training and youth programs including mentoring and after-school tutoring, and now all of that will be housed right here,” White said.
“I think it’s a great idea and will help crack down on the drug problem in the community,” said Fairfield resident Tyrone Cooper.
There are a few hurdles to clear before the field office can open, including complete renovations. The City Council is expected to consider a resolution Monday night to reallocate $5,000 in grant money to do that.
The police canine unit and bike patrols also will be moved to the new office.