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Mischief at Macy’s? A felony in the food court?
The sheriff will have the mall covered, starting today.
Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich and other dignitaries will help celebrate the grand opening of a Spokane County sheriff’s satellite office in the Spokane Valley Mall today (Friday), Sept. 12, at 2 p.m.
The new office is located at the west entrance of the mall near the Sears store.
Both the public and media are encouraged to check out the new facility, and to join in the festivities and refreshments, said Sgt. Dave Reagan, spokesman for the sheriff’s office.
Lt. Steve Jones, coordinator for the project, said space for the office was donated by mall management and will be cost-free to taxpayers.
“The space was offered to us and it’s a great opportunity for our guys,” he said. “We can get some stuff done at night, take care of reports and be somewhere where we’ll be highly visible.”
Jones said the idea isn’t to replace mall security – “that’s not our role” – but to enhance the presence of the sheriff’s department. But in the event of criminal activity at the shopping center, deputies will be close at hand, he said.
“It’s just a great opportunity for us to be more accessible to the community,” he said.
While the mall is technically within the jurisdiction of the city of Spokane Valley – and the Spokane Valley Police Department – the storefront police station will actually be an offshoot of the sheriff’s department.
The mall sees 7 million visitors annually, 19,000 per day, and those high numbers played a big part in mall management’s offer to have the sheriff provide a presence in the mall.
Volunteers with the Sheriff’s Community Oriented Policing Effort and deputies will staff the office initially from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, However, Jones said that there will be full-time staff working at the office – notably the coordinator for Neighborhood Watch – and that anytime the lights are on, visitors are welcome to come in to say “hi” or to conduct police business.
A computer kiosk is planned so that visitors can file reports online. Computers and phones have already been installed for use by volunteers and law enforcement. Mall management supplied new paint and carpet for the facility, and Spokane County provided surplus desks and other furniture.
Friday’s grand opening will feature a visit by McGruff the Crime Prevention Dog and members of the sheriff’s motorcycle units. Volunteers from Operation Family I.D. will be on-hand to register participants in that child safety program.
Neighborhood Watch participants will also be available to provide information about neighborhood safety and sheriff’s Crime Prevention Officers will attend to share information on other crime prevention programs and activities.
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By
Mike Huffman
