The Dayton Police Department opened its temporary downtown substation at 30 S. Main St. on May 4, aiming to increase safety and crime prevention in the area. A ribbon-cutting ceremony included U.S. Representative Mike Turner, Mayor Shenise Turner-Sloss, City Manager Shelley Dickstein, and Greater Dayton RTA CEO Bob Ruzinsky.
The new substation is intended to support the growing downtown community and address increased needs for public safety as more residents move into the area. “There has not been a downtown police station since 2012, and since 2014, we have added thousands of residents, plus hundreds of millions of dollars of investment,” Dickstein said.
Major Brian Johns said that the facility will house downtown patrol operations with a team of 30 officers. One officer will focus specifically on mental health and homelessness issues.
Dayton supports community engagement through boards, commissions and public meetings while emphasizing transparency with accessible agendas, minutes and government records, according to the official website. The city delivers municipal services via departments dedicated to public safety, public works, recreation and economic development according to the official website. It operates under a council-manager form of government with an elected mayor and city commission that appoints a professional city manager according to the official website.
A permanent Central Patrol District station is planned for opening in downtown by 2029. Dayton promotes economic vitality through partnerships and development initiatives according to the official website, preserves its legacy as the birthplace of aviation honoring contributions from the Wright brothers according to the official website, and is noted for historic preservation efforts including sites like the Wright Brothers’ bicycle shop according to the official website.
