Police in Moorpark Will Finally Have a Place to Call Home

MOORPARK — Living in Ventura County’s only city without a police station, Moorpark residents must drive to neighboring Thousand Oaks to pick up a copy of an accident report or speak with a police officer.

But not for much longer.

In a deal worked out by the city, local school district and Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, many sheriff’s personnel who serve under a contract as Moorpark’s police force will be headquartered in town.

As early as August, the city’s first police station will open in the south wing of the Moorpark Unified School District administration building on Flory Avenue.

“This is fabulous for Moorpark residents in many ways,” said Mayor Patrick Hunter, who along with the rest of his colleagues on the City Council approved the new plan Wednesday. “They are our police department; they should be in our city.”

Sheriff’s Capt. Mike Lewis, who serves as the city’s police chief, said one of the benefits of the plan is that more law enforcement personnel will be in town when emergencies arise.

A station “will make things more safe for everyone who lives here,” said resident Maria Hernandez, speaking in Spanish, as she walked with her baby in the midtown area.

At least one resident, however, questioned whether a station was worth the cost to taxpayers.

“If we have one of the lowest crime rates around, what’s the big deal?” asked Jay Goodman, 46.

Since incorporation in 1983, Moorpark has contracted with the county sheriff for police services. Deputies and other personnel serving the city, however, have worked out of the sheriff’s east county station in Thousand Oaks.

A storefront “police resources center” established at the Towne Center shopping center in 1994 served some functions of a police station, providing information and limited services. But it has been staffed only with volunteers.

The new station would be home to about 15 sheriff’s personnel, including detectives and Lewis. Twelve patrol deputies and two special enforcement officers who work in the city would still report to the Thousand Oaks office.

Eventually, city and sheriff’s officials hope to see a permanent station in Moorpark that would house patrol deputies as well.

The move to establish a station in Moorpark began after the building that houses the police resources center changed hands and the rent went up from $1 a month to $14,000 a year.

When Lewis mentioned this to school Supt. Tom Duffy, the schools chief volunteered to lease 4,000 square feet of surplus space in the district’s headquarters.

Under the proposal approved by the council this week, the city will pay $19,000 a year for the space, which was vacated when the school district’s business services office moved to another district building. The police resources office will be closed.

Lewis anticipates that a five-year lease, already approved by the school district and Sheriff’s Department, will be signed by next week.