South Salt Lake is one step closer to getting a new police station

SALT LAKE CITY — South Salt Lake hopes to get plans for a new police station set in the next five years. The proposed police station would be near an existing homeless shelter, near 3500 South 1000 West. 

The city just went through the first step of the process, acquiring 1.4 acres of land from the county.

The transfer will only cost the city $10, but if it does not build the substation or at least have plans to break ground within five years, it will be returned to Salt Lake County.

New station would benefit neighborhood

Neighboring the Pamela Atkinson Men’s Resource Center, the station would also be home to the city’s homeless resource officers. They work closely with the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, the Road Home and the South Salt Lake Justice Court.

In a county council meeting, South Salt Lake City Mayor Cherie Wood said the station will help shorten response times to calls in the area and will boost safety overall.

“We are appreciative of the county recognizing the regional facilities in South Salt Lake and the need for a public safety substation near the Pamela Atkinson Resource Center,” Wood said. “Forty-five percent of all of our calls for service for police occur within half a mile of that property.”

At-large Council Member Natalie Pinkney showed her support for the station as well. 

“I still live in South Salt Lake in that neighborhood, walk the trails, and a lot of people in that neighborhood would benefit from more police presence,” Pinkney said. “With Tracy Aviary’s second campus, there’s going to be even more families that are going to be brought into that region.” 

Related: Homeless Outreach Court: Meeting the community where they are